How Andy Lee and Tyson Fury have created a brand new me, one with no doubts, one who gained’t cease till I attain the highest
THE relationship with Andy Lee simply retains getting higher and higher. If you’ve labored with somebody for therefore lengthy, you grow to be very shut, we’re just about like household now. Every camp will get higher and higher.
The primary camp, for the primary Derek Chisora combat, was okay. The second camp was higher however this one, for Joe Joyce, has been the perfect of all of them. There are various causes for that. The time I’ve had with Andy has meant he has added extra issues to what I can do within the ring. It’s the entire setup that’s good. Tyson [Fury] has given us the fitness center to make use of, a home to lease, and I’ve flew in a chef to do all of the cooking – which is the primary time I’ve ever performed that. This hasn’t simply been the perfect camp with Andy, it’s been the perfect camp of my profession, thus far.
As for being away from my youngsters, my household, you get used to it. However then, on the similar time, you by no means get used to it. I based mostly myself right here in England as a result of, for boxing and my profession, that is what I have to do and what I’ve chosen to do. My spouse may be very understanding, though it’s very arduous. I’ve bought 4 lovely younger ladies again dwelling, it’s very arduous to be away from them. However to be the perfect, it’s worthwhile to encompass your self with the perfect.
Boxing will not be going to be one thing I’m doing till I’m 40. I’ve a superb 4 or 5 years left the place I’m going to present it every part I’ve. If I’m again dwelling, worrying about spending time with household and making an attempt to coach on the similar time, I wouldn’t get the perfect out of myself. It’s arduous, however I’ve bought to do it.
The extra I take into consideration this combat with Joe Joyce, the extra excited I get as a result of the problem he represents is a giant one. Not many individuals go searching for a combat with him. He’s good, he’s proven quite a bit in his profession thus far, the strain he brings, the engine he has. However, to be the perfect, it’s important to combat who’s in entrance of you and I feel he’s the absolute best opponent for me at this stage of my profession. I would like that problem, I need to face every part that he brings.
The purpose for me is to combat for the world title. I simply need to give every part I’ve for the fights I’ve in entrance of me and for now, that’s Joe Joyce. I need to be dominant, I need to placed on a showcase. I’ve been criticised up to now for simply boxing and shifting however I need to do greater than that. Tyson Fury is a pal however he’s additionally champion of the world. However it might be fallacious to deal with that now, I’ve to get previous Joe Joyce first.
However being world champion is what retains me going. I have already got monetary safety for my household and boxing has blessed me with that. Now it’s for me, now it’s to realize every part I need to obtain. Prior to now, I used to be doing it for different folks, now it’s for myself.
It feels nice to be part of this heavyweight combine, to be ranked extremely, however I do know I can obtain extra. As an alternative of being the defensive, passive fighter, I need to give the followers extra.
I wasn’t at all times in a position to try this. The Joseph Parker who fought Anthony Joshua in 2018 was making an attempt to persuade himself that he belonged within the combine. The Joseph Parker of at the moment is aware of he’s within the combine. I’m extra constructive now, I gained’t wait on the again foot for alternatives within the ring, I’ll go on the market and make these alternatives. That’s the massive distinction now.
I used to come back into camp fats and heavy. That’s not a superb begin, mentally and bodily. However now I prepare on a regular basis, whether or not I’ve a combat developing or not. I’m at all times prepared now, whereas again then, I wasn’t.
I’m very grateful to Tyson Fury, who has performed an enormous half in that change. He launched me to Andy Lee, he’s given me his fitness center, he’s just about given me his entire crew and mentioned, ‘That is it, now you haven’t any excuses.’ He lets Andy and I work on issues, clearly, however when he’s round, he’s not afraid to supply recommendation, to push me, to assist me.
I at all times thought he would come again however each time I spoke to him he was at all times adamant that he’d retired. His dad would converse to him, his brother would converse to him and he’d inform them he was retired too. However he’s actually been busy. He had the combat with Dillian Whyte, then he retired, then he referred to as out Thor, then he retired, then he kicked the taxi, he punched a wrestler, then he retired once more. In all seriousness, I’ve quite a bit to thank him for, he’s the explanation I’m right here in Morecambe.
I’ve made Morecambe my dwelling. Individuals now name me ‘Morecambe Joe’ or ‘Gypsy Joe’ wherever I am going. The climate in the summertime actually helped. Then I awakened this morning, appeared out of the window and it’s raining. I mentioned to myself, ‘Welcome again’.
Once I get up within the morning my first thought is with my household. I at all times name them to say good day. Then I do a morning prayer and do my respiratory workout routines. There’s no considerations or doubts, in any respect, about this combat, even because it will get nearer.
Prior to now, after I was coaching in Vegas and I hadn’t ticked all of the containers, that’s when you’ve doubt. You’ve educated, however you haven’t been totally dedicated. That’s while you begin to ask your self in the event you’re actually prepared for this combat. However while you’ve ticked all of the containers, that goes away. Clearly we’re human, tiny doubts can creep in, nerves can happen, however that’s it. I converse to a psychologist as soon as per week and with Andy and Tyson being round who’re filled with encouragement – ‘nobody will beat you’ – you simply get higher and higher mentally. You get stronger bodily, too.
BT Sport Field Workplace will present Joe Joyce v Joseph Parker solely reside on Saturday twenty fourth September. Study extra at bt.com/sportboxoffice
