John Dennen speaks to the man who has boxed both Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker, to get the expert view of the heavyweight unification clash

ANTHONY JOSHUA and Joseph Parker meet for a major heavyweight fight to unify the IBF, WBA and WBO world titles at the Principality stadium in Cardiff on March 31. There is one man who has boxed both. Frazer Clarke, a super-heavyweight silver medallist at last year’s European amateur championships, has taken on both Parker and Joshua in amateur bouts, before he became a GB team-mate and sparring partner for Joshua.

“I boxed Joseph Parker in 2009, 2010. That was in the Commonwealth Federations in Delhi, India. It was a real close one to be fair. He just nicked it. It was the points system, he won it by a couple of points, maybe one point. It was a really close, interesting fight. I watched it back a few weeks ago, with him obviously coming up to box Joshua, it’s interesting. I boxed Joshua either 2009, 2010 and I boxed Parker in the same year,” Clarke told Boxing News.

Frazer gave his expert view. “I think Joshua wins really convincingly. That’s not bias, that’s just honest opinion. I think Joseph Parker is good [but] I know Joshua is in great condition. He’s in better condition now than he’s been going into any camp. That’s 100% the truth. I think it starts off a little bit cautious. I think Joshua takes him out inside four or five rounds. I think it’s an easier fight than [Carlos] Takam, I don’t think he’s as durable. He’s quite good at attacking but I think he’s small for a heavyweight as well. I’ve stood next to him at the Hughie Fury fight and weigh in and stuff. I think Joshua is going to tower over him do an absolute job and look good doing it,” Clarke said.

“Let me tell you now, there’s having an iron chin and then there’s getting hit by a combination off Anthony Joshua. Not one punch, his one-punch, concussive knockout power – he has got that but we haven’t really seen that too often – but what I’m telling you is after Joshua’s hit your four or five times on the chin, it hurts any man in the world, I don’t care who you are. His chin will well and truly be tested let’s put it that way.”

It’s strange to think that the men who Frazer boxed as amateurs have gone on to box in a multi-million pound heavyweight world title unification. “I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, it makes me feel terrible! We’ve all got different paths,” he said.

“My best years are yet to come I’m sure,” he continued. “I’ve served my apprenticeship and when the time comes to turn pro I’ll be in good standing.”

Don’t miss next week’s issue of Boxing News magazine for a full feature interview with GB super-heavyweight Frazer Clarke