Boxing: Joseph Parker's jabs taking toll on Anthony Joshua

Joseph Parker. Photo / Matt Impey / www.photosport.nz

Joseph Parker's needling of Anthony Joshua appears to be hitting its mark, with the English world heavyweight champion referring to his struggles keeping a lid on a "pot of fire".

Both Parker and his trainer Kevin Barry have spoken about how easy it seems to rattle Joshua ahead of their likely fight in late March.

The 28-year-old IBF and WBA "super" champion is used to having things go his way but Parker and his team have taken a defiant attitude to their negotiations and social media approach, in particular their shining a spotlight on what they describe as Joshua's "glass jaw".

"Life is about how you interpret things and when I first started boxing, my interpretation [of boxing] was all about Mike Tyson and the gutter side of it," Joshua said in an interview after he attended the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year awards in Liverpool.

"Then I started realising the discipline and regimen of the likes of [Wladimir] Klitschko and how they conduct themselves. So I tried to change the angle.

"But you need that 'gutterness' as well, which I show in the fight, but outside of that, it's calmness and respect.

Anthony Joshua. Photo / AP

"It's tough sometimes though if someone keeps on poking you, how do you keep a lid on that pot of fire?"

An official announcement of the fight is close, with Parker understood to be happy to be receiving a purse of $12million.

In an interview with Joshua and Hearn after the awards, the pair mention WBO champion Parker and WBC title holder Deontay Wilder as their main targets for next year.

"Who first?," asks Joshua.

"Parker," replies Hearn.

"Why Parker?

"Because he's the only one being remotely realistic. Remotely realistic."

Joshua replies: "I don't like to give false promises, but I agree ... Parker is remotely realistic in negotiations."