Joseph Parker’s promoter David Higgins has warned Anthony Joshua of complacency in the build-up of their fight on March 31.

Joshua, the WBA “super” and IBF heavyweight champion, and New Zealander and WBO holder Parker are in their final stages of preparations before the unification fight in Cardiff.

The two fighters faced each other on 'The Gloves Are Off' for Sky Sports, where Higgins suggested that Parker earned the first hit.

“I thought Joseph Parker was quite calm and steely confident. He was obviously looking Joshua dead in the eye, without any flinching whatsoever. He certainly wasn't overawed one bit.

"Joseph managed to get in there a bit of a critique of Joshua, his strengths and weaknesses.

"Joshua was questioned on Parker's weaknesses, but didn't come up with any. He didn't state any weaknesses at all. I think Joseph just had the edge, if I'm honest."

The psychological battle has been going on for a while, so this is nothing new.

In January, Higgins compared Joshua to the England football team, saying: "We have a hypothesis that Joshua is like the English football team. Built up and hyped up, but never steps up when it gets to the top level.

"We believe that unification bout is a step too far and we will find out hopefully if we get the fight."

Higgins advised Joshua and his team that neglecting Parker to focus on a deal with his potential next opponent Deontay Wilder, before they’ve stepped into the ring, would be a big mistake.

"All this talk about Deontay Wilder, I think Anthony Joshua looks past Joseph Parker at his peril.

"Anthony Joshua's making a grave mistake, if he's looking past Parker.

"It's one thing to quietly analyse future possibilities, but if they are going any further and are in the early stage of negotiations, it's far too early for any of that.”

Adding that it could be beneficial for Parker and his coach Kevin Barry.

"I don't think Joseph Parker or Kevin Barry will be the slightest bit concerned that the Joshua camp are discussing all these other possibilities when they've got an unbeaten world champion in front of him, who has never been dropped in his life, and is lightning fast with his hands, and has great footwork."