Joseph Parker reveals 'simple' tip from Tyson Fury ahead of Deontay Wilder fight at 'Day of Reckoning'

Joseph Parker has revealed the one key piece of advice given to him by Tyson Fury ahead of his 'Day of Reckoning' showdown with Deontay Wilder - 'don't get hit with the right hand'.

Former WBO world champion Parker faces the former WBC world title-holder Wilder in the co-main event on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - live on TNT Sports Box Office.

A victory for Wilder could pave the way for a bout with Anthony Joshua in 2024, should he get past Otto Wallin in the other co-main event, and the 38-year-old has already set his sights on the Englishman.

But armed with knowledge having had the benefit of training with Fury - who has famously defeated Wilder on two occasions in an epic trilogy - Parker was in confident mood of causing an upset when he caught up with TNT Sports ahead of the fight.

"It’s the best shape I’m in, for the longest time," Parker said.

"I never thought in my career that I could get abs. But it’s coming through and it’s a good feeling. When you train hard and you look good and feel good, the only thing that’s left is to put on the best performance."

On the words of advice he has received from Fury, Parker said: "It's simple: don’t get hit with the right hand. Honestly, that was it."

Parker, who has fought three times in 2023 with a perfect record, continued: "Tyson’s six foot nine, he’s got the longest reach and his strengths are different to mine. I can’t fight how he fights because I’m not his size and don’t have the same reach. But I feel like my strengths are speed, movement, combinations, and good footwork."

While Parker has overcome Simon Kean, Faiga Opelu and Jack Massey this year, Wilder has been inactive in the ring since a victory over Robert Helenius in October 2022.

Former British professional boxer Richie Woodhall believes Wilder cannot afford to underestimate his opponent.

"I think this is a dangerous fight for Wilder, I really do," said Woodhall. "Wilder has been out of the ring for umpteen months; Parker has had three fights this year and this is his fourth.

"If Parker can just avoid the big punches early on in the fight – that’s when Wilder will be his fastest and most dangerous – I think he could outbox Wilder.

"I’m not taking anything away from him because he’s a knockout man and he gets the shot on the opponent. But with Joseph Parker, he’s got decent power, been a world champion, fought some really good fighters – and only good fighters have beaten him.

"He has a great engine and decent power himself. But the problem for Wilder could be the movement, Parker’s good on his feet. Wilder prefers fighters to come at him so he can bring them onto that big right hand.

"When he’s got a moving boxer in front of him, hitting him and moving… Tyson fought him three or four different styles, but when he was in and out and side to side, Wilder had real problems. And I think Parker – who has been training with Tyson and has been a very good sparring partner for him – will have learnt a lot from him.

"Tyson will be giving him little tips about how to box Wilder, so it’s a really interesting fight.

"Whether he will be strong enough to carry it through is the big question because one thing Deontay Wilder can do probably better than any heavyweight in the world is produce power shots late on in the fight, and that’s the difference between him and a lot of the other heavyweights."

'Day of Reckoning' costs £19.99 in the UK and can be watched through DAZN or TNT Sports Box Office and is available via the DAZN app on Smart TVs, streaming sticks, tablets, laptops and game consoles, Virgin Media TV, Sky and EE TV.

You do not need to be a subscriber to buy this event and more information on all the ways you can watch can be found at www.dayofreckoning.co.uk.

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