Kevin Barry believes his fighter is ready for the biggest fight of his life at the Vodafone Arena in Manukau tomorrow night. Then, Kiwi hope and son of Samoa Laauli “Joseph Boxer Parker” will come up against the most dangerous opponent of his career, so far.  

Speaking on TV1 Breakfast this morning Barry said he will present “the very best Joseph Parker” there is for the fight. Whether the “best Joseph Parker” will be good enough against a tough opponent in Carlos Takam will only be found out at the end of the fight. 

Barry uses terms such as “the bogey man of heavy weight boxing” and “the boxer no one wants to fight” to describe Takam. 

“I want to see one of those photos with Joseph’s arm being raised at the end of the night,” Barry commented on a video clip of Parker winning the WBO Oriental Heavyweight Belt. 

The pressure facing Parker is greater than any other fight so far. Trying to secure a one-on-one interview with him is proving a boxing match in itself. Joseph is in big demand by the world’s media, let alone the media in his home base in Auckland, New Zealand.  

“The pressure Joseph is facing is more and greater intensity than any other fight so far,” Barry said. 

“Joseph is ready to perform, there is no reason for nerves and anxiety. He is the standout performer with the media this week. 

Barry is not worried about Parker’s motivation. His work ethic is unquestionable. 

“I don’t have to tell him what to do, he is out there at 5.30 in the morning for his runs. It is me that has to slow him down.” 

Barry said he is “loving life” and experience with Parker. He is amazed at the way the 24-year old has developed and how far he has come in the three years they have been working together. 

The transformation is perfect so far, not just as a boxer, also in terms of his skill set and as a media person. He has seen him “grow so much”. 

Barry said Parker is in the focus of World Boxing. He points to the cancellation of another high profile fight in Russia on the same night between currernt WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and Russian contender Alexander Povetkin as proof Parker and Takam have priority this weekend. 

Barry said they are getting messages from many current and former champions. 

An example of that is the best wishes received this morning from current Heavyweight World Champion Tyson Fury who endorses Parker to beat Takam. 

“Joseph Parker is reigniting interest in the sport here in New Zealand and World Boxing royalty are watching. 

The fight will be shown live in the UK which is huge. This is very important as the UK is the “hotbed” of world boxing at the moment. 

Asked as to his final words to his champ before Parker takes the ring tomorrow night, “I will tell him to focus, work on precision, and to bring out all the tools and skill set.” 

“My job has been to make ready and prepare the best Joseph Parker for the fight. Joseph is ready for his challenge.”