Joseph Parker Shuts Down Deontay Wilder’s Travel Claim For His Performance

Joseph Parker doesn’t think Deontay Wilder’s travel had any impact on his performance back in December.

Parker and Wilder fought back in December in Saudi Arabia and it was Parker who cruised to a lopsided decision win. Wilder claimed the travel impacted his performance as he was jet lagged and didn’t feel like himself.

However, Joseph Parker says everyone dealt with the travel issues getting there so doesn’t think the excuse is valid.

“Every fighter has to go through different things in camp. Before the Whyte camp, we locked in the fight then I flew 17 hours to Dubai, a three-hour wait, then eight hours to Ireland to start my training camp,” Parker said to IFL TV (via BoxingScene). “I was jet-lagged for a week, it’s what a fighter goes through, good or not it is what it is. It’s all part of trying to prepare for a fight. I’m not sure where he’s coming from, he did travel back and forth, we had to do the promotion, there was a lot of time traveling.

“When I traveled to Saudi for the fight, jet lag is a real thing, but as a professional fighter and the team around you – you have to make the right decision about when you have to be there and allow yourself the time to adjust and get used to the time zone and wherever you’re fighting,” Parker continued.

Ultimately, Parker scored a cleat-cut decision for the biggest win of his career. He will now face Zhilei Zhang on March 8 in Saudi Arabia in a highly-anticipated matchup, where the winner could get a title shot.

Joseph Parker is currently 34-3 and riding a four-fight winning streak. Before the win over Wilder, he beat Simon Kean by KO.

Do you agree with Joseph Parker?