Another camp spent in the presence of the best heavyweight in the world has Joseph Parker confident of making a second title run.

The former WBO heavyweight titlist feels better than ever ahead of a dangerous clash with unbeaten contender Joe Joyce. Their interim title fight will take place this Saturday at AO Arena in Manchester, England, the third straight appearance at the venue for New Zealand’s Parker as well as his third fight with head trainer and former WBO middleweight titlist Andy Lee.

A major benefit of working with Lee is also getting extended gym time with lineal/WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (32-0-1, 23KOs). Parker has found the experience invaluable to the point of feeling even better than when he held a major title.

“You only surround yourself with champions, you’ll have a champion’s mindset yourself,” Parker noted at the tail end of training camp in Morecambe, England. “I’ve always been strong-minded. With Tyson and with Andy Lee around and the whole team, I just keep building on that.

“Going into this fight, I’m confident I can get the job done. I’ve done the work so there’s no doubt, no worries. When the fight comes, this lump is gonna get a lump on his head.”

Parker (30-2, 21KOs) has won six fights in a row since suffering his lone two career defeats in back-to-back fights in 2018. The last two have come since linking up with Lee—and, by and large, Fury—last March, both wins coming against Derek Chisora and at the AO Arena. Parker escaped with a split decision win in their first fight last May before earning a competitive but convincing twelve-round, unanimous decision in their rematch last December.

“You’re going to see a more improved Joseph Parker,” insisted the former titlist. “The first camp with Andy Lee was more of an introduction, learning a new style, trying new things. The second camp was even better, you saw that with the second Chisora fight.

“This camp, [Lee] has added a lot more to my [arsenal]. When I go into this fight, I can take care of business and beat this guy up.”

Joyce-Parker will headline a BT Sport Box Office event in the UK and will air live on ESPN+ in the U.S.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox