Boxing - Joshua decries 'fake news' about his chin

Boxing - Anthony Joshua & Joseph Parker Press Conference - London, Britain - January 16, 2018 Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker go head to head during the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Anthony Joshua has dismissed as 'fake news' suggestions that he has a weak chin ahead of his world heavyweight unification bout with New Zealander Joseph Parker.

The 28-year-old, who holds the WBA and IBF versions of the crown, goes into the March 31 fight in Cardiff with a perfect 20-fight, 20-knock-out record.

WBO champion Parker is unbeaten in 24, with 18 knockouts, and he and his camp have brought attention to past occasions where Joshua was knocked down in the ring as amateur and professional.

Boxing - Anthony Joshua & Joseph Parker Press Conference - London, Britain - January 16, 2018 Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker go head to head during the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

There has been talk of Joshua having a 'glass chin', with Parker using the Twitter hashtag #neverbeendropped to emphasise his own ring record.

Appearing at his first pre-fight news conference with Parker in London on Tuesday, however, Joshua said it would take 'more than a human' to beat him and accused his opponent of a PR stunt.

"When you talk about myself getting dropped and what you done, it's a marketability strategy," he added.

Boxing - Anthony Joshua & Joseph Parker Press Conference - London, Britain - January 16, 2018 Joseph Parker during the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

"The rumours that you have heard, they're all fake news. Hand on my heart. PR, whatever you want to use it for, is between you and your camp."

Parker recognised he had a big challenge but remained confident.

"I've watched him for a long time. I know he's watched me. I know his strengths, I know that he knows mine. I know his weaknesses and he thinks he knows my weaknesses," he told reporters.

Boxing - Anthony Joshua & Joseph Parker Press Conference - London, Britain - January 16, 2018 Anthony Joshua during the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

"And I'm hoping to catch him on the chin and knock him out."

The winner of the fight will take a step towards becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999-2000.

American Deontay Wilder holds the WBC belt in the heavyweight division.

Boxing - Anthony Joshua & Joseph Parker Press Conference - London, Britain - January 16, 2018 Anthony Joshua after the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Christian Radnedge)

Boxing - Anthony Joshua & Joseph Parker Press Conference - London, Britain - January 16, 2018 Joseph Parker during the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Boxing - Anthony Joshua & Joseph Parker Press Conference - London, Britain - January 16, 2018 Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker pose after the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Boxing - Anthony Joshua & Joseph Parker Press Conference - London, Britain - January 16, 2018 Anthony Joshua, promoter Eddie Hearn and promoter David Higgins during the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Boxing - Anthony Joshua & Joseph Parker Press Conference - London, Britain - January 16, 2018 Anthony Joshua and trainer Rob McCracken during the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Boxing - Anthony Joshua & Joseph Parker Press Conference - London, Britain - January 16, 2018 Anthony Joshua during the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge