Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan II - Joseph Parker backs star to 'get back on the horse'

'The Real Deal' fights for the IBF weltwerweight title in a hotly anticipated rematch with his Belfast rival at the city's Windsor Park, with the bout live worldwide on DAZN.

Parker, whose trainer Andy Lee hopes to guide Donovan to his maiden major strap, was recently confirmed to face Fabio Wardley next month amid the wait for Oleksandr Usyk.

But taking time out to support the pair at Friday's weigh-in, the New Zealander told DAZN News that the two have prepared everything they can, crediting Donovan's resolve.

"The atmosphere with Paddy and Andy has been beautiful," he said. "They've had a great camp, they've done everything right. There's calmness and there's confidence.

"They're looking forward to putting on a great performance. As a fighter, you have to learn to accept whatever's happened, pick yourself back up and get back to work.

"Sometimes, you've got to come up with a different gameplan, see what went wrong. But you've just got to get keep going. You get back on the horse and you keep riding."

Parker also briefly addressed his latest return to London to face Wardley next month, for what will be his first fight on British soil since a decision win over Jack Massey in 2023.

The Auckland star has not fought on home soil since a points victory against Junior Fa in 2021, and while he hopes to return one more time, he stresses he is happy to fight here.

"I've had a lot of fights in New Zealand, and the crowd is crazy there too," he added. "But over here, you can hear way more noise. Back home, we do get some amazning crowds.

"Hopefully, I can take one fight back to New Zealand before the end of my career. For now, we'll find a place where it all makes sense on this side of the world with the big names."

Matchroom Boxing

Watch Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan II on DAZN

Watch Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan II, plus the whole undercard from Belfast's Windsor Park, with a DAZN subscription this September.

For more information on how to sign up, click here.