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Home » EXCLUSIVE: Kevin Barry unfazed by Dillian Whyte’s baiting, says Joseph Parker will do his talking in the ring

EXCLUSIVE: Kevin Barry unfazed by Dillian Whyte’s baiting, says Joseph Parker will do his talking in the ring

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Parker and Whyte will go toe-to-toe this Saturday at a sold out O2 Arena in a clash that will determine which man will go on to fight for world honours in the near future.

Whyte has been his typical bold and brash self in the lead-up to the encounter, going as far as labelling the Kiwi boxer a ‘coward’ in reference to Parker’s performance in his heavyweight unification clash against Anthony Joshua.

Parker however, is a much less abrasive character than his outspoken opponent and hasn’t risen to the bait cast out by Whyte.

Something which is no accident, according to Parker’s long-time trainer, Barry.

When asked if the mind games implemented by ‘The Body Snatcher’ would affect Parker, Barry told World Boxing News: “In his second fight with me we fought Frans Botha who was very vocal, very lippy and very experienced.

“He was at the end of his career and he tried to play mind games with Joe, so Joe learned his lesson very early that the fight is not outside the ring, it’s inside the ring.”

The fight is being broadcast as a PPV event by Sky Sports with no world titles on the line, so Barry is welcoming of Whyte’s trash talk. “This is a PPV event and it’s a sold out arena and we love what Dillian Whyte is saying because this is the boxing business that we’re in and he’s selling the event.”

The card has been marred with pullouts, starting with Kell Brook withdrawing from the card and then his replacement Sam Eggington, who withdrew only to be replaced by Nick Webb and Dave Allen; so Whyte’s trash talking can only help sell the event.

Other notable bouts on the bill include, Whyte’s former rival Derick Chisora in a crossroads clash against world title challenger Carlos Takam; Katie Taylor defending her world titles; Conor Benn v Cedric Peynaud in a rematch of their epic clash and Joshua Buatsi challenging for the vacant WBA International title.

Thomas Davison is a staff writer for World Boxing News. Follow Thomas on Twitter @thomasdavison93