Lupesoliai La'auli Joseph Parker admits that he hasn't been himself while trying to promote his unification title fight against Anthony Joshua.
The world champ spoke to Mantis on Niu FM Breakfast live yesterday from London, after appearing at his first pre-fight conference with Joshua in London.
Parker stood face to face with his opponent for the first time since the announcement of the fight.
He says he's happy the talk is done because he hasn't been feeling like his genuine self.
“Now that the fights locked in, it’s back to the person that I am, so some of the things that I said and the way that I acted, it wasn’t really me and I felt uncomfortable doing it,” he says.
“Now that the fights locked in, we’ve peaced it out with each other and we’re so excited to get in the ring and beat each other up.”
Parker, who will defend his WBO heavyweight title against Joshua, says he still can't believe that a young Samoan boy from South Auckland is on one of the biggest boxing events of 2018.
“I’m very blessed to be in this position and to be involved in an event like this and I represent New Zealand and Samoa,” he says.
Parker will fight Joshua in Cardiff, Wales on March 31 (April 1 in New Zealand).