Joseph Parker's parents get nervous everytime her son enters the boxing ring, now she'll have twice the nerves as Joe's younger brother John is set to make his professional boxing debut.
John and Joseph Parker. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
After a five-year hiatus from fighting, the 22-year-old will box in the undercard of brother Joseph's bout with Russian Alexander Dimitrenko in Auckland on Saturday.
Both Parkers went through the amateur ranks during their teenage years, John was even a national champion in the light and middleweight divisions.
Instead of following his brother into the professional ranks John gave the sport up, but after spending the last two years following Joseph's progession, John's re-entering the ring.
The younger Parker said Joseph has been an inspiration.
"I guess just seeing my brother struggle during the trainings and remembering the times we struggled together made me want to get back to that time," John said. "Joe is a huge role model for me in terms of an older brother and boxer. It's nice to see the way he's progressed."
Growing up John was considered the more talented Parker but discipline let him down.
Joseph says his younger brother was a thrill to watch as an amateur and expects much the same tomorrow night.
"If I could compare him to someone it would be a little Mike Tyson, because he just went there for the kill.
"When the bell rang, it was just like he held his breath for three minutes and threw all his punches and when the bell rang again he'd start breathing again. That's how exciting he was," Joseph said.
Joseph and John Parker prepare for training. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
And as brothers do, the pair enjoyed a bit of play fighting during their teenage years, despite their parents' disapproval.
But given Joseph is over half a foot taller and two years older, John learnt quickly not to mess with his big brother.
"Joe and I never threw a punch except for this one time when I clipped him a little bit."
Luckily for John, speed was on his side.
"And then he ran and I couldn't chase him because he was too fast," Joseph said.
There'll be no running on tomorrow night though when John lines up against 27-year-old Ratu Dawai from Christchurch before big brother Joe headlines the show in Manukau.
-RNZ
