David Haye impressed with Joseph Parker's trimmed physique

Joseph Parker in action during training. Photo / Dean Purcell.

Former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye is impressed with the much-improved physique of Kiwi star Joseph Parker.

Haye's praise comes after Parker's intense training camp in Las Vegas in the wake of his most recent win over Romanian boxer Răzvan Cojanu in Auckland four months ago.

An eight-week celebration followed after his first defence of the WBO heavyweight title, resulting in Parker over-indulging, leaving the 25-year-old sluggish and out of shape.

12 days out from Parker's second defence of his WBO heavyweight title against British fighter Hughie Fury in Manchester, Haye spoke of the transformation in Parker's physique.

"He's trimmed up, clearly he's been eating sleeping and training and not much else," the 36-year-old said.

"I know what it takes to whip yourself into great condition and he's obviously been living the life and a completely different human being than the one who was here 10 weeks ago."

Parker, who currently weighs in at 110kg, is training at Haye's purpose built gym in South London.

Haye said that a victory over Fury would be a monumental one in Parker's career, with brand exposure in the United Kingdom set to play a vital role in his quest for unification bouts against either Deontay Wilder or Anthony Joshua.

"A win against Hughie Fury in the UK, in Manchester, will be absolutely huge for Joseph Parker and his brand," Haye said.

"It really would put his name up there in lights and it would really get the British media calling for unification fights. At the moment he's a bit of an unknown, although he's the champion, he hasn't sort of been on these shores.

"He's popped over from time to time and teased us, but to come over here and show us what he's got with a spectacular win, that would really put his name up in lights and it would really call for one of the big unification fights with Deontay Wilder or Anthony Joshua. This would really put his name into the hat."

Haye went on to point out that victory won't come easy, highlighting that Fury will be ready to strip Parker of his title in just under a fortnight.

"All he has to do is win, get his hand raised by any means and then he can look forward to much bigger things. This fight I don't believe he's going to have the luxury of picking or choosing a knockout or points.

"He's going to need to have the fight of his life."

The bout will take place at 9am, September 24 (NZT).