Joseph Parker sacrifices Christmas in New Zealand to stay in the UK and prepare for the fight: ‘Tyson Fury called me’ | Boxing News

For Joseph Parker it will be lonely this Christmas, lonely and cold as he travels to Morecambe to prepare for his next fight.

The former world champion may be back home with his family in New Zealand, enjoying the sun and summer there.

Instead, he will be alone in Morecambe with his own Christmas tree to keep him company.

Parker fights January 21st against Jack Massey on the Chris Eubanks Jr. vs Liam Smith card at the AO Arena in Manchester, live Sky Sports Ticket Office.

So he will remain in the UK where he will train at the Tyson Fury gym with trainer Andy Lee.

“A lot of people say ‘why go back to Morecambe when it’s nice and sunny in New Zealand?'” “Nice summer, you’ve got your family there, you’ve made money and you’ve done some good things,” Parker said.

“I’m just going to stay and focus. That’s why I left my family, so I can work.”

He had a difficult year. Parker boxed once in 2022 and suffered a grueling loss to Joe Joyce in September.

However, his enthusiasm for boxing remains. He’s determined to get back on top next year, starting with the Massey fight.

“I was at home training but my wife said, ‘You have to fight.’ I was training aimlessly and she said, ‘Go back to England, train and fight again. ‘ That’s why I’m here, thanks to my wife!” Parker said.

“Andy Lee and I have been training this week but he is right back to spend Christmas with his little family.

“Just me and this Christmas tree.”

Parker will not participate in any ceremonies.

“Everyone here at Morecambe has been very nice. I’ve been invited to many homes and gatherings of people but I don’t want to get sick and I don’t want the chance to get sick before a fight, so I want to do everything right and stay healthy.”, Will stated.

“Tyson asked me to come to dinner,” Parker added. “I might stop at Tyson and say, ‘What’s up, happy birthday.

“I want to go make a thousand presents for myself and I’ll put them under the Christmas tree and I’ll wake up on Christmas Day wondering what I’ve got,” he laughed. “I will sit by the tree and sing a song.”

These are the sacrifices he is willing to make as he pursues his sport.

“I love boxing. I love a challenge. I think a lot of fighters love a boxing challenge. It’s not just about training, it’s the challenge of knowing who’s in front of you. You study, you space them out, you watch and you learn,” he said.

“I have everything I need. All I want is to train and fight.”