Anthony Joshua might have picked up a trick or two from Wladimir Klitschko.
Ahead of what remains the toughest fight of Joshua’s career, Klitschko decided to implement some last-minute mind games by sending his brother in to supervise the wrapping of Joshua’s hands backstage at Wembley last year.
Vitali Klitschko, a former world heavyweight champion in his own right, cuts an intimidating figure and he was clearly sent into the ‘AJ’ dressing room in the hope of getting into Joshua’s head just moments before he shared the ring with Wladimir in what turned out to be an unforgettable war.
👑 WBO World Heavyweight Champ @joeboxerparker has arrived! #JoshuaParker
Watch over on our Instagram story: https://t.co/R2ajooa0Bu pic.twitter.com/5jG9NEUSod
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) March 31, 2018
Almost a year later and Joshua seemed to use the interrupting of an opponent’s hand-wrapping to try to disrupt Joseph Parker’s concentration on Saturday night.
Ahead of the monster unification clash in Cardiff, Joshua sent in someone from his team to observe Parker’s trainer wrapping the undefeated Kiwi’s hands.
It’s customary for fighters to send representatives in to watch the process to ensure that there are no nefarious goings-on and while there didn’t seem to be any with Parker, Joshua reportedly insisted that the New Zealander change his wraps.
Parker promoter David Higgins just came to the press seats to say a Welsh supervisor acting at behest of Joshua tried to get Parker's hand wrap changed. Higgins then complained to Robert Smith, sec of British Boxing Board of Control and wraps stayed as they were. #JoshuavParker
— Julian Guyer (@stGuyer) March 31, 2018
team AJ wanted hand wraps redone but Robert Smith sided with Parker camp #JoshuaVsParker
— PA to Calvin (@chrisrobwill) March 31, 2018
According to reports from the Principality Stadium, Parker’s promoter David Higgins approached the reporters who were gathered ringside to let them know that Joshua was not happy with Parker’s choice of wraps.
The issue was then brought to the attention of British Boxing Board of Control General Secretary Robert Smith, who saw no reason for the change to be implemented and allowed Parker to carry on as planned.
In all likelihood, Joshua had no issue with the wraps and just wanted to throw a spanner in the works.
And maybe he has the Klitschko brothers to thank for that last-minute mind game.
