The fight outside the ring is well and truly underway at the moment – long before the two heavyweight gladiators Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker step into the ring on March 31st.

Anthony Joshua last time out against Carlos Takam was certainly not one of the best fights of his career. As he’d surely admit himself.

At the same time Parker comes into the fight not in the best of form in his last few fights too.

While both have maintained their unbeaten records and held onto their titles, both are due a good performance come March 31st in Cardiff.

That’s good news for boxing fans.

Ahead of the fight Joseph Parker’s promoter David Higgins feels that Anthony Joshua is the weaker man mentally compared to his fighter.

Eddie Hearn when speaking to UK TV to announce the fight dismissed the suggestion by Higgins that Joshua is mentally weak:

“I’ve never seen Anthony Joshua rattled. You talk about mental strength? To go out in your hometown and win Olympic Gold. To walk out in front of 90,000 at Wembley and take on Wladimir Klitschko and unify the division. To get off the deck. To have your tank emptied and just to come through with immense heart, skill and will.”

He added:

“Don’t worry about Anthony Joshua’s toughness. These guys (team Parker) are going to find out about levels. Simple.”

The bout will be shown on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and live on Showtime in the US.