Styles, as the old boxing saying goes, make fights, and New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker believes Andy Ruiz Jr's relentlessly pressing strategy will play into his hands during their world title bout at Vector Arena a week on Saturday.
Ruiz Jr will give away about 10 centimetres when the pair meet, and added to his height disadvantage is the fact that he has relatively short arms. He has already promised to press Parker, to "suffocate" him with his style, so there will be an opportunity for the south Aucklander to hurt him as he comes in.
"His strengths are coming forward [with] fast hands," Parker said in his first media conference since arriving from his Las Vegas base on Friday. "He's actually a good mover, he moves his head and protects himself well. He's got to work his way in because I'm going to be throwing a lot of jabs. It can work for him if he gets in close but if he walks into a big one then it will be a good night for me."
If Ruiz Jr does get inside, then Parker believes he has the weapons to continue hurting the Mexican. "I'm confident I can fight anyone at any distance. I've practised and trained for whatever he's going to bring so I'm confident about what I can do."
Accompanied by his younger brother, John, a light heavyweight who will fight on the undercard, Parker appeared relaxed as time ticks away to the biggest fight of his career.
His trainer Kevin Barry said yesterday that Parker hasn't had his best camp, but that it was a satisfactory one. For Parker, there has been a bit going on during his preparation, including the birth of his daughter, Elizabeth, who was born three weeks ago. He said he was amazed at how tall she was and that her arrival had added an extra edge for him.
