Heavyweight ring king Wladimir Klitschko, 38, is entering his first weekend of training camp having begun his preparations for the upcoming Bryant Jennings (19-0-0, 10ko) test yesterday, Thursday.
An undefeated fighter, Jennings trades shots with a champion who has extensive experience in taking a man’s ‘zero’. Wladimir, after all, has been responsible for the debut blemish on an astonishing 11 previous victim’s resumes – including most recent opponent Kubrat Pulev.
“My training camp has officially started,” Klitschko (63-3-0, 53ko) enthusiastically announced via social media on March 4, ahead of his defense of the WBA, WBO, IBF, IBO and The Ring magazine titles at Madison Square Garden in New York City on April 25.
Joining Wlad in camp is Auckland puncher Joseph Parker (13-0-0, 11ko), who brutalized Jason Pettaway in four rounds in his home nation, New Zealand, on March 5 and is now looking to continue his education in the professional ranks by testing himself against the very best the division has to offer.
Parker will train alongside Klitschko for a three week period in Florida and his team struggled to hold back their excitement when discussing the opportunity with the New Zealand Herald: “We’ve all seen the progress [Parker’s] shown in the last two years,” commented Kevin Barry, Parker’s head coach.
“I would like to think by the end of this year we’re going to see a lot more progress. Working with someone the calibre of Klitschko can only be beneficial for us.”
A knockout artist by trade, Parker – who actually boxed on a Klitschko undercard, taking on Marcelo Luiz Nascimento when Wlad slayed Joe’s countryman Alex Leapai last year – added: “Sparring against the champ, there’s only one thing that’s going to happen and that is [this]… you’re going to learn.”
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