Anthony Joshua threatening to freeze out heavyweight rival Deontay Wilder

Joseph Parker underwent surgery in both elbows back in November 2017 but is said to be better than ever ahead of fighting Anthony Joshua.

UFC president Dana White announced his intention to expand his promotional interests into boxing past year and it appears as though he has his first target in sight: unified heavyweight world titleholder Anthony Joshua. The stakes couldn’t be higher for the two fighters – nor for heavyweight boxing.

The WBA “super” and IBF title holder will be one belt away from becoming the undisputed champion if he can take the WBO strap from Parker. After some debate over his weight, Joshua has confirmed he intends to tip the scales lighter than for previous fights at “112kg max”, or 17st 8lbs.

The snub highlights the growing tensions between the camps as the fight draws near.

The British holds the WBA, IBF and IBO crowns and boasts a ideal 20-0 record. A victory on judges’ decision for Joshua comes in at 9/2 and the draw at 40/1.

As Higgins prepares to join Parker and trainer Kevin Barry in the United Kingdom for the March 31 clash, the Duco boss says the New Zealander is in the flawless frame of mind. It gives us motivation in training, and we know what our focus is.

Parker feels he will at last be able to fight at full capacity having struggled with a longstanding elbow injury before an operation in December. There’s no soundtrack to Parker’s imagined combination which puts Joshua down on the Cardiff canvas.

If all goes to plan in the Welsh capital, the fight the world wants to see should be next – Joshua vs. WBC champion Deontay Wilder, a meeting of heavyweight boxing’s two most destructive punchers. That’s part of the reason he needs to win this fight with a bit to spare. Wilder’s had that experience to be able to dominate the division and whoever he’s fighting. Parker is exactly the type who will play spoiler however.

Parker’s most recent fight was against a Hughie Fury in Manchester in September, a fight which he won by majority decision and couldn’t get his normally quick jab going.

The Kiwi is the lesser fancied fighter for the April 1 fight in Cardiff.

Last week, Joshua admitted he was keen to challenge himself in UFC.

The biggest key isn’t necessarily what Parker can do physically, but rather mentally.

He now wants to show that against Joshua.

But Joshua has always lived by the mantra “stay humble, stay hungry” and his most extravagant purchase during his latest training camp is evidence that he is not straying too far from his favourite motto.