By Keith Idec

Anthony Joshua embraced Joseph Parker’s suggestion that they “go to war” on Saturday night.

New Zealand’s Parker made that statement as part of an open workout Wednesday at St. David’s Hall in Cardiff, Wales. When it was Joshua’s turn to speak after his workout, he assured Parker that he’ll happily oblige if it’s a war Parker wants at a sold-out Principality Stadium.

“It’s good news that he wants a war,” Joshua said. “In boxing, all you need is a good chin and a right hand. But I’ve been working on finesse, technique, counter-punching. I hope Joseph Parker falls into my booby traps because I’m going to set him up with some power shots as well. Yeah, I’ll be up for a war. I’ll hopefully be up for some blood, sweat and cheers from my corner.”

The 6-feet-6, 250-pound Joshua is roughly a 9-1 favorite to beat New Zealand’s Parker in their scheduled 12-round fight for Joshua’s IBF, IBO and WBA championships and Parker’s WBO title.

The 28-year-old Joshua has knocked out each of his 20 professional opponents and has become by far the United Kingdom’s biggest boxing star. The 6-feet-4, 240-pound Parker also is undefeated (24-0, 18 KOs) and has displayed a granite chin during his 5½-year pro career, albeit against much lesser punchers than the hard-hitting Joshua.

Only Joshua has been in a proverbial boxing war as a professional.

The 2012 Olympic gold medalist managed to get off the canvas in the sixth round of this career-defining fight 11 months ago and stopped long-reigning former champion Wladimir Klitschko during the 11th round. Their unforgettable battle, which drew a capacity crowd of approximately 90,000 to Wembley Stadium in London, was voted “Fight of the Year” by BoxingScene.com, the Boxing Writers Association of America and numerous other outlets.

“Klitschko’s a great fighter and champion who we respect, but Klitschko is Klitschko,” Parker said Wednesday. “I’m a different story altogether. I’m young and hungry, I’m fit and strong and I got my speed back. I will show that on Saturday.”

Sky Sports Box Office will air Joshua-Parker as the main event of a pay-per-view broadcast in the United Kingdom (6 p.m. GMT; £19.95). Showtime will televise it live in the United States (5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT).

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.