There are now just eight days until Anthony Joshua goes head to head with Joseph Parker in Cardiff.

Both heavyweights are putting their titles on the line, with AJ looking to unify the division.

The Watford-born fighter is undoubtedly the favourite, but he will have to become the first man to defeat Parker in his professional career if he is to keep his own flawless record intact.

Judging by some of Parker's comments in the build-up, the 26-year-old does seem a little rattled and he has taken tensions up a notch in recent days by attacking AJ's behaviour with the media.

Joshua did not speak to New Zealander or Samoan journalists, which certainly riled the WBO champ's camp.

However, Parker believes the former Olympic champion is equally shaken ahead of their bout, suggesting Joshua's attempts to get his weight down are a little surprising.

“It’s up to him really,” Parker said, quoted via The Times.

“If he actually trusts his body he would not be trying to change who he is. He’s trying to be leaner, faster. I don’t know if he’s trying to be him or me!

“I’m going to be a lot lighter. In the last fight we were 112kg, for this fight 108. Oh yeah, I’ll be better. Faster, stronger, better movement, I’ll show everyone.

“Our team has done a great job to get me into the best shape I have ever been in. I feel like I am in the best shape, as you can tell by my face being a little bit skinnier than the last time I was here.

"I can start to see some abs coming along, which is a very good sign. I’m excited to be here.”

How much will AJ weigh? 

Joshua weighed 18st 2lbs against Carlos Takam, which was noticeably heavier than in his victory against Wladimir Klitschko when he weighed in at 17st 12lbs.

There has been plenty of speculation about his target weight this time around, yet no-one from his camp has confirmed what he is aiming for.

"I'm not going to say because, last time I said that, I came in at my career-heaviest," Joshua recently told Sky Sports.

It remains to be seen whether he does come in much lighter against Parker, or indeed whether their respective weights have all that much impact on the result.

Can Parker beat Joshua? Have your say in the comments.