Trainer Andy Lee has seemingly confounded predictions that Kiwi Joseph Parker may play hard to get against American slugger Deontay Wilder in their 'Day of Reckoning' showdown at Riyadh.
The two former world heavyweight champions will square off in a make-or-break bout to keep their future title hopes alive on a card packed with belt implications.
Wilder, a former WBC champ, has garnered a reputation as one of the division's biggest-ever hitters, ending 42 of his 43 career win early.
Lee was part of the team that prepared Brit Tyson Fury for victory over 'The Bronze Bomber' in a trilogy of fights that saw the WBC belt handed over in 2020, and Parker insists advice from the Fury camp is to "don't get hit with the right hand and don't get knocked out".
The rivals have weighed in for the fight, with Parker at 245.3 pounds (111.2kg) and Wilder - 8cam taller - at 213 pounds (96.6 kg). Afterwards, the pair stared each other down for a full 30 seconds, before exchanging a fist bump.
"We're here, we're ready and I can't wait," insisted Parker. "I'm going to be aggressive, I'm going in there to execute this plan, follow the strategies and get the win."
Lee was somewhat more forthcoming with how that may look.
"Fight fire with fire," he said. "Let your hands go.
"We expect it [a knockout]."
Wilder already had his hands strapped to fight and hoped Parker would stick to his trainer's prediction.
"Bam, baby, goodnight," was his response.
Trainer Malik Scott insists the match-up should suit his fighter.
"Joseph has the perfect style for Deontay to look spectacular against tomorrow and that's what he's going to do," he said. "This is a weight where he gives out his most decapitation work and tomorrow will be no different."
Meanwhile, Aucklander Junior Fa weighed in at 278.9 pounds (126.5kg) for his fight against unbeaten Cuban Frank Sanchez (238 pounds/108kg).
Join Newshub at 6am Sunday for live updates of the Day of Judgement, featuring Joshua v Wallin, Parker v Wilder, Fa v Sanchez
