Joseph Parker

In a media conference yesterday, Tuilaepa said the New Zealand Samoan fighter was clearly unfit is his loss to Dillian Whyte in London at the weekend.

"At least three times he had the chance to put his opponent down but he was not fit," he said.

Tuilaepa said he spoke with him after the unification bout loss to Anthony Joshua in April.

"I told him your trainer has reached the end of his knowledge and know how in boxing, he needs to go," said Tuilaepa.

Home favourite Whyte dropped his opponent twice but had to climb off the canvas himself in the 12th round, forcing him to hold on for the final bell to secure a unanimous points decision in a pulsating main event at the O2 in London on Saturday.

However, while all three judges were in agreement over the winner, scores of 113-112, 115-110 and 114-111 demonstrated the close nature of the bout.

Parker told Whyte to expect "less movement" and "more punches" in their bout at the O2 Arena, which could see the winner land a world title fight.

Brixton's Whyte dismissed the claim, warning the former WBO champion that "if he comes to fight like he says, he gets knocked out".

"Let's see what he brings," the 30-year-old said.

"I've been in the game long enough to know talk and action are two different things," Whyte, who knocked out Australia's Lucas Browne in his most recent outing, said.

Parker is on the comeback trail following the New Zealander's first professional loss to Anthony Joshua in March, while Whyte is also trying to return to the top of boxing following his loss to Joshua three years ago.

Parker has one more win than Whyte in their professional careers (25 to 24) but the Brit told Sky Sport UK he'll prove who's best.

"He feels he's faster than me, he thinks he's a better boxer than me so hopefully he comes and fights me to try and show that.

Parker will face Whyte in London this Sunday in his first fight since his loss to Anthony Joshua in March.

He told Sky Sport UK Whyte is one of the toughest competitors in the heavyweight division.

"I want to make a statement, I want to be dominant in this fight.

"In order to be champion again I have to fight these great challenges and also to cement my place at the top. It's important to fight good, to fight smart but look great as well," Parker said.

The announcement sees the well known Team Parker brand re-positioned with a new focus. From today, Team Parker will anchor its efforts around the proven “buy one, donate one” model that has been successful for other social enterprises like New Zealand’s own “Eat My Lunch”, of which Joseph is an Ambassador.

“For every item of official Team Parker merchandise purchased we will donate a piece of sporting equipment to a school, club or community group in the Pacific Islands.” says Parker.

It will be Parker's first fight since he lost his unification bout to Anthony Joshua in April.

Parker lost his WBO title in that fight but could face Joshua again in a rematch if he beats Whyte.

Whyte's only loss in his 24-fight career also came at the hands of Anthony Joshua in 2015.

Parker's manager David Higgins is hoping Parker will get to fight in Britain again.

"This is the epicentre of heavyweight boxing in the world. Obviously we came close against Anthony Joshua (but) didn't quite get the win," he said.

American magazine The Ring claims Parker has agreed to fight American Bryant Jennings in Atlantic City on 19 August.

However, David Higgins, head of Parker's promoters Duco, said the bout hasn't been confirmed. He said they were in negotiations with the Jennings camp, but said they had other options on the table including a fight with Russian Alexander Ustinov. Higgins said no deal will be made until the Parker camp are satisfied with the terms.

Parker relinquished his WBO world title belt by unanimous points decision to undefeated Englishman Anthony Joshua in Cardiff early last month, the first loss of his 25-fight professional career.

After a holiday in Samoa, the 26-year-old is back in Auckland "running every day" and has begun plotting his next move with promoter David Higgins.

The New Zealand based former World Heavyweight title holder first became a Digicel brand ambassador in 2016 and today he has renewed his deal.

Parker, during the signing said he was excited to extend the partnership with Digicel and he’s looking forward to another year of boxing.