Joseph Parker believes that Anthony Joshua’s experience at heavyweight makes him the favourite against Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk stepped up from the cruiserweight division after being the undisputed champion at the weight, and while he is undefeated over the course of his whole career, he has fought just twice in the top division.
Speaking to the DAZN Boxing Show, Joseph Parker explained, saying: “I will pick Joshua. And the reason I pick him is just because he's a natural heavyweight. He's got the height, reach advantage. Usyk is a tricky customer, and you've seen that once in the fight. He's been evolving.
However the New Zealander did not discount Usyk entirely.
“They do have a point. He might surprise everyone more for his footwork, his speed and leading into a fight. Every fighter that goes into a fight should have had the best preparation.
“He might be able to prove people wrong, but it's a hard task in front of him. We have a champion. He's been a champion for a long time for many great fights, it is two Olympic medalists, it's gonna be a great fight.
Parker, who fights Derek Chisora for a second time in December, believes that many are overlooking Joshua’s ability when they focus on his size.
“I think his boxing skills are very good,” he said.
“And a lot of people just see him because of the knockouts, chasing people and smashing him. But he has shown the side of them that he can box and move in the Andy Ruiz fight. He was able to control the fight with his boxing.”