Tyson Fury rubs shoulders with UFC champion Israel Adesanya and AFL stars before Joseph Parker bout

Tyson Fury was spotted ringside ahead of Joseph Parker’s fight against Faiga ‘Django’ Opelu in Melbourne on Wednesday night.

The WBC heavyweight world champion rubbed shoulders with UFC champion Israel Adesanya and a host of AFL stars ahead of the bout at Margaret Court Arena.

Fury travelled Down Under with his close friend Parker, who is looking to get back to winning ways after his knockout defeat by Joe Joyce last September. 

And Parker credited the Gypsy King with having helped change his approach to training.

Fury introduced Parker to George Lockhart, a former US Marine and now nutritionist and strength and conditioning trainer, who has worked with the ‘Gypsy King’, as well as UFC champions Conor McGregor and Jon Jones.

Tyson Fury was spotted ringside ahead of Joseph Parker’s fight against Faiga ‘Django’ Opelu in Melbourne on Wednesday night

The Gypsy King stopped for a chat with UFC champion Israel Adesanya (left)

‘I have George Lockhart in camp and he’s done the nutrition and strength training, and boxing has always been there, so I think we’ve got the right balance now, finally,’ Parker told AAP on Tuesday.

‘It’s not really the food, it’s really the over-training, so having someone there to manage training times, sleep time, eat time – having all of that in place makes it easier.’

Fury said he couldn’t remember seeing Parker, who pointed out his abs at the weigh-in, in better shape.

‘I’ve seen a massive change in Joe, his body shape,’ Fury said.

‘I’ve never seen him this ripped before or in as good a shape, so I’m excited for the fight.’