Joseph Parker Talks Dubois Fight, Improving, and Title Hopes with Dan Rafael

On February 22, Joseph Parker (35-3, 23 KOs) will challenge Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) for the Brits IBF world heavyweight title at the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh. The entire loaded card will be available on a plethora of PPV platforms. Ahead of Parker-Dubois, the Kiwi fighter has spoken to Dan Rafael on the latest Fight Freaks Unite/Big Fight Weekend podcast about the upcoming IBF clash, the importance of making improvements and his plans for the future.

Joseph Parker on Daniel Dubois, Staying Active, and Undisputed Goals

Joseph Parker Talks to Dan Rafael Before Feb. 22 Dubois Fight

Parker soon spoke about his upcoming fight against the IBF heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois: “I’m looking forward to this massive challenge. Not only fighting Daniel Dubois for the IBF world championship but also being on a massive card and I’m looking forward to putting on a good display.”

“I’ve been training hard, so I’m very excited,” added the Kiwi fighter.

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“I’m expecting the Dubois that we’ve seen recently, yeah, the one that’s showing heart, the one that’s showing grit and determination and a bit of dog in him, in these fights that we’ve seen,” said Parker, when asked what Dubois he’s expecting on February 22.

Losing to Joe Joyce and Making Changes

When reflecting on his loss to Joe Joyce in 2022, the 33-year-old said: “When you have a loss, I’m not sure about other fighters, but me personally, I had lost and I started asking myself questions.”

Parker then spoke about making improvements since the Joe Joyce loss: “I find now that the working relationship I have with George Locker and Andy Lee has made a massive difference.”

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When asked about thriving as an underdog: “I do like being the underdog,” said Parker. “I can thrive off that and I can build off that and I can, you know, the element of surprise now,” said Parker.

The Importance of Andy Lee and What’s Next for Parker

Rafael asked Parker about the importance of his trainer Andy Lee, and he said: “I think he’s a master in coming up with a game plan. And when executed, it’s a great night.”

If he is successful on Feb. 22, the Kiwi fighter revealed what he would like to happen next: “You never want to look too far ahead, but in my mind, It’ll be (to) win the IBF championship (from) Dubois. Fight Usyk for Undisputed and then avenge the losses to those guys that I’ve lost to.”

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He added: “For me, that’s the perfect scenario in my head.”

To hear the Parker interview and more from the “Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast” with Dan Rafael and TJ Rives, click the play button below.

Parker Predicts Feb. 22

When asked how his fight on Feb. 22 plays out: “I’ve said it to him. I feel like I’ll be too smart for him. I know that Dubois got heavy punches and he punches in combinations and throws bunches of punches, but I feel like I’m going to be too smart.”

The former WBO heavyweight champion added: “I think I’m going to break him down, break him down until he’s a bit confused in there and get him out of there.”

Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker Full Fight Card

• Main event: Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol – for WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring belts
• Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker – for IBF heavyweight title
• Shakur Stevenson vs Flloyd Schofield – for WBC lightweight title
• Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz – for WBC middleweight title
• Vergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov – for interim WBC super-welterweight title
• Zhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel – for interim WBC heavyweight title
• Joshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith – for interim WBO light-heavyweight title
• Mohammed Alakel vs TBA
• Ziyad Almaayouf vs TBA