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Britain's Anthony Joshua (left) and New Zealand's Joseph Parker at the weigh-in. Photo: AFP

‘I’m here for war’: Anthony Joshua leaner and lighter but still heavier than Joseph Parker for battle of unbeaten heavyweights

The Briton weighs in at 110 kilograms for the bout in Cardiff while the New Zealand tips the scales at 107kg

Boxing

A leaner and lighter Anthony Joshua weighed in some three kilograms (six pounds) heavier than Joseph Parker on Friday for the battle of the undefeated heavyweight world champions in Cardiff.

The Briton tipped the scales at 110kg (242 pounds) at the weigh-in, attended by a crowd of more than 4,000, compared to the New Zealander’s 107kg (236 pounds).

Joshua, the reigning WBA, IBF and IBO world champion, is also taller and with a six inch reach advantage over Parker, who will be bringing his WBO belt to the Principality Stadium for the unification fight.

The Briton had stepped into the ring against Cameroonian-French opponent Carlos Takam in Cardiff last October, for a defence he won in 10 rounds, at a career-high 115kg.

“I’ve been running well, training well,” said the 2012 Olympic champion, who has a 20-0 record with all his fights won by knockout.

“Losing that little bit of extra weight has made things that little bit easier. I feel better... if everything goes to plan, you’ll see I’ll be a lot sharper and my reactions and timing will be a lot better,” the Briton told the crowd.

New Zealand's Joseph Parker at the weigh-in in Cardiff. Photo: AFP

Joshua’s camp had made much of just how seriously the 28-year-old was taking training, his obsession with shedding the pounds and how that had been paying off in his ringcraft and training.

Parker, 24-0, took it as a compliment ahead of what will be the biggest fight of his career, with an 80,000-strong crowd expected through the doors on Saturday.

“It makes me think that he’s taking this fight really seriously, he’s trained very hard,” he said after standing face to face and staring into the eyes of his opponent for the last time before they meet in the ring.

Britain's Anthony Joshua attends a weigh-in photocall. Photo: AFP

“He’s in good shape, I’m in good shape. There’s not much of a weight difference, which is good. we’re both going to be fast for tomorrow night, we’re both going to move well and throw some big bombs.”

Parker said he saw confidence in Joshua’s eyes, and was ready for anything.

“I’m here for a good fight, I’m here for war,” he declared. “You’re going to have to give me everything to beat me ... he’s got a bigger crowd but that doesn’t matter, that doesn’t faze us.”

The fight on Sunday morning (HK time) will bring the heavyweight title a step closer to undisputed status and put the focus even more on American Deontay Wilder, who holds the WBC crown and is undefeated in 40.

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