A leaner and lighter Anthony Joshua weighed in some six pounds heavier than Joseph Parker on Friday for the battle of the undefeated heavyweight world champions in Cardiff.

The Briton tipped the scales at 17 stones four pounds and two ounces at the weigh-in, attended by a crowd of more than 4,000, compared to the New Zealander`s 16 stones 12 pounds and seven ounces.

Joshua, the reigning WBA, IBF and IBO world champion, is also taller and with a six inch reach advantage over Parker, who will be bringing his WBO belt to the Principality Stadium for Saturday night`s unification fight.

The Briton had stepped into the ring against Cameroonian-French opponent Carlos Takam in Cardiff last October, for a defence he won in 10 rounds, at a career-high 18 stones and two pounds.

"I`ve been running well, training well," said the 2012 Olympic champion, who has a 20-0 record with all his fights won by knockout.

"Losing that little bit of extra weight has made things that little bit easier.

"I feel better...if everything goes to plan, you`ll see I`ll be a lot sharper and my reactions and timing will be a lot better," the Briton told the crowd.

Joshua`s camp had made much of just how seriously the 28-year-old was taking training, his obsession with shedding the pounds and how that had been paying off in his ringcraft and training.

Parker, 24-0, took it as a compliment ahead of what will be the biggest fight of his career, with an 80,000-strong crowd expected through the doors on Saturday.

"It makes me think that he`s taking this fight really seriously, he`s trained very hard," he said after standing face to face and staring into the eyes of his opponent for the last time before they meet in the ring.

"He`s in good shape, I`m in good shape. There`s not much of a weight difference, which is good. we`re both going to be fast for tomorrow night, we`re both going to move well and throw some big bombs."

Parker said he saw confidence in Joshua`s eyes, and was ready for anything.

"I`m here for a good fight, I`m here for war," he declared. "You`re going to have to give me everything to beat me...he`s got a bigger crowd but that doesn`t matter, that doesn`t faze us."&nbsp

Saturday`s fight will bring the heavyweight title a step closer to undisputed status and put the focus even more on American Deontay Wilder, who holds the WBC crown and is undefeated in 40.

Joshua is also taller and with a six inch reach advantage over Parker

A leaner and lighter Anthony Joshua weighed in some six pounds heavier than Joseph Parker on Friday for the battle of the undefeated heavyweight world champions in Cardiff. The Briton tipped the scales at 17 stones four pounds and two ounces at the weigh-in, attended by a crowd of more than 4,000, compared to the New Zealander`s 16 stones 12 pounds and seven ounces. Joshua, the reigning WBA, IBF and IBO world champion, is also taller and with a six inch reach advantage over Parker, who will be bringing his WBO belt to the Principality Stadium for Saturday night`s unification fight. The Briton had stepped into the ring against Cameroonian-French opponent Carlos Takam in Cardiff last October, for a defence he won in 10 rounds, at a career-high 18 stones and two pounds. "I`ve been running well, training well," said the 2012 Olympic champion, who has a 20-0 record with all his fights won by knockout. "Losing that little bit of extra weight has made things that little bit easier. "I feel better...if everything goes to plan, you`ll see I`ll be a lot sharper and my reactions and timing will be a lot better," the Briton told the crowd. Joshua`s camp had made much of just how seriously the 28-year-old was taking training, his obsession with shedding the pounds and how that had been paying off in his ringcraft and training. Parker, 24-0, took it as a compliment ahead of what will be the biggest fight of his career, with an 80,000-strong crowd expected through the doors on Saturday. "It makes me think that he`s taking this fight really seriously, he`s trained very hard," he said after standing face to face and staring into the eyes of his opponent for the last time before they meet in the ring. "He`s in good shape, I`m in good shape. There`s not much of a weight difference, which is good. we`re both going to be fast for tomorrow night, we`re both going to move well and throw some big bombs." Parker said he saw confidence in Joshua`s eyes, and was ready for anything. "I`m here for a good fight, I`m here for war," he declared. "You`re going to have to give me everything to beat me...he`s got a bigger crowd but that doesn`t matter, that doesn`t faze us." Saturday`s fight will bring the heavyweight title a step closer to undisputed status and put the focus even more on American Deontay Wilder, who holds the WBC crown and is undefeated in 40.

Leaner and lighter Joshua still outweighs Parker on the scales

Heavyweight boxing moved closer to having an undisputed world champion after it was announced Sunday that Britain&#39;s Anthony Joshua and New Zealand&#39;s Joseph Parker will meet for a multiple title bout in Cardiff on March 31.

Joshua will put his World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation belts on the line against Parker, the World Boxing Organisation champion.

Matchroom Boxing, Joshua&#39;s promoters, said the bout would take place at the 74,500 capacity Principality Stadium, best known for staging Wales rugby union internationals.

&quot;I would like to announce the official news that myself and Joseph Parker will be fighting on March 31 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff,&quot; said Joshua.

&quot;It is a unification heavyweight championship fight. We all know what happened last time I was in a unification heavyweight championship fight -- it was gruelling, it was interesting and we both left the ring with masses of respect,&quot; the 28-year-old added.

&quot;These fights aren&#39;t easy because there is a lot on the line, so respect to team Parker for taking the challenge. I am looking forward to it, training camp is underway and before you know it March 31 will be upon us.&quot;

Joshua, the London 2012 Olympic super-heavyweight champion, unified the WBA and IBF titles with a dramatic and hard-fought win over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley in April before retaining both belts against Carlos Takam in a late-stoppage win in Cardiff in October.

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???????????????????????????????? <a href="https://t.co/RS4NXgLX08">pic.twitter.com/RS4NXgLX08</a>
&mdash; Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) <a href="https://twitter.com/anthonyfjoshua/status/952493462124990464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Parker, 26, became the WBO champion in December 2016.

He made his British debut last year with majority points win over challenger Hughie Fury, a cousin of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

Parker&#39;s performance against Fury did not impress some ringside observers.

But Parker was adamant his punching power would test Joshua.

&quot;Anthony Joshua is in for a huge shock,&quot; he said. &quot;A couple of months ago I heard him say &#39;why should I be worried about this little kid from New Zealand&#39;?

&quot;Well, now he&#39;s about to find out. And the world is about to find out whether AJ can really take a punch.&nbsp;

&quot;My entire existence is now devoted to proving what the boxing world already knows.&quot;

Sunday&#39;s announcement concluded weeks of sometimes fraught talks between the two camps.

&quot;I&#39;m delighted to get this fight made &ndash;- it&#39;s been a long time coming,&quot; said Joshua&rsquo;s promoter Eddie Hearn.&nbsp;

&quot;Champions should fight champions and AJ continue to step up to the challenges.&quot;

&nbsp;

Joshua will fight Parker on March 31 in heavyweight unification bout at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium

Heavyweight boxing moved closer to having an undisputed world champion after it was announced Sunday that Britain's Anthony Joshua and New Zealand's Joseph Parker will meet for a multiple title bout in Cardiff on March 31. Joshua will put his World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation belts on the line against Parker, the World Boxing Organisation champion. Matchroom Boxing, Joshua's promoters, said the bout would take place at the 74,500 capacity Principality Stadium, best known for staging Wales rugby union internationals. "I would like to announce the official news that myself and Joseph Parker will be fighting on March 31 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff," said Joshua. "It is a unification heavyweight championship fight. We all know what happened last time I was in a unification heavyweight championship fight -- it was gruelling, it was interesting and we both left the ring with masses of respect," the 28-year-old added. "These fights aren't easy because there is a lot on the line, so respect to team Parker for taking the challenge. I am looking forward to it, training camp is underway and before you know it March 31 will be upon us." Joshua, the London 2012 Olympic super-heavyweight champion, unified the WBA and IBF titles with a dramatic and hard-fought win over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley in April before retaining both belts against Carlos Takam in a late-stoppage win in Cardiff in October. ???????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/RS4NXgLX08 — Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) January 14, 2018 × Parker, 26, became the WBO champion in December 2016. He made his British debut last year with majority points win over challenger Hughie Fury, a cousin of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. Parker's performance against Fury did not impress some ringside observers. But Parker was adamant his punching power would test Joshua. "Anthony Joshua is in for a huge shock," he said. "A couple of months ago I heard him say 'why should I be worried about this little kid from New Zealand'? "Well, now he's about to find out. And the world is about to find out whether AJ can really take a punch. "My entire existence is now devoted to proving what the boxing world already knows." Sunday's announcement concluded weeks of sometimes fraught talks between the two camps. "I'm delighted to get this fight made –- it's been a long time coming," said Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn. "Champions should fight champions and AJ continue to step up to the challenges."

Anthony Joshua to fight Joseph Parker for world heavyweight title

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Leaner and lighter Joshua still outweighs Parker on the scales

Anthony Joshua to fight Joseph Parker for world heavyweight title