Not long to go now until March 31st for the upcoming heavyweight title unification bout between Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker. Both guys have now drafted in their sparring partners.

Sparring will form a crucial part of the intense preparations both men will put themselves through over the coming weeks as they look to mimic the moves they plan to execute on fight night and hopefully, the sparring partners will mimic one another’s opposite foe to prepare for.

Today Sky Sports has revealed that Anthony Joshua’s chief sparring partner will be American Marlo Moore (1-0).

A relative unknown for the most part but a decent amateur who is understood to be a talented prospect behind the scenes, brought in to try to replicate a similar style to WBO champion Joseph Parker.

Moore made it to the 2015 national finals with only a few fights as an amateur in the US.

Moore is known to be very, very quick for a heavyweight and with Joshua already weighing lighter than expected, it’s clear to see he’s expecting Parker to come in built for speed and stamina – and is preparing accordingly.

Parker on the other hand has a more known quantity perhaps for his key sparring partner.

He’s drafted in 2016 Olympic super-heavyweight gold medallist Tony Yoka of France. The man who won the Olympics four years after Joshua did back in London 2012.

Yoka won the Olympic gold by beating Filip Hrgovic and then Great Britain’s Joe Joyce in the final back in 2016.

Yoka is currently 3-0 as a pro and has similar dimensions to Joshua, if not being a bit taller and having a slightly longer reach.