Joseph Parker

[enzedder]

Parker is now the IBF heavyweight mandatory challenger after a hard-earned UD victory over Takam in Auckland last night. Takam took him the distance and was his toughest opponent to date. Parker has an undefeated professional record after 19 fights. A title fight will happen in London and probably early next year against Joshua. Can't wait.
Parker is managed by David Tua's old manger, Kevin Barry. Some may remember Tua as a former heavyweight champion who famously fought Lennox Lewis for the WBC, IBF and IBO titles in 2000.
Among the interested viewers last night was WBA and WBO world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, who tweeted his congratulations minutes after the fight ended: "Welcome to big time boxing, respect to a young lad taking on a very tough guy in Takam. Very well done!"
Hopefully NZ will have it's next heavyweight champion of the world very soon... he's on track.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11642822

[enzedder]

Parker had another KO victory last night against the 201cm tall Russian giant Alexander Dimitrenko who boasted a 38 wins (24 by KO)- 2 losses record before last night.
Parker's record now stands at 21 wins from 21 fights, 18 by KO... he has the mandatory rights to Anthony Joshua's IBF crown and his handlers are exploring other avenues with disgraced WBA and WBO champ Tyson Fury likely to be stripped of his belt.
Really hope he gets to fight Joshua... should be a beauty.

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Well with Tyson Fury's well documented troubles with depression and drug use Parker has his shot at a heavyweight title this Saturday against Andy Ruiz here in Auckland.
Had thoughts of going but with the cost and traffic and parking think I'll just go to a local bar and watch it with a beer in my hand. Haven't been to a pub to see a fight since the days of Kostyra Tszyu 20 odd years ago in Cranbourne.
Anyway should be an absolute beauty. Two of heavyweight's hardest punchers with a combined 50-0 record.
Can't wait.

[RiOtChEsS]

Should be a cracker, best of luck to him today

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Great fight. Parker was lucky to win. Could've gone either way. Went the distance and great sportsmanship and respect shown by fighters at the end.Ruiz  is a class act and bloody tough. Wouldn't have been surprised had Ruiz been announced the winner.
Will be interesting to see if there's a rematch, Joshua fight or something else next for Parker... no doubt everyone will be lining up.

[enzedder]

New Zealand's Joseph Parker just won against Hughie Fury (Tyson's cousin) in Manchester bringing his professional record to 24-0.
Majority decision after 12 rounds.
May get the chance now to fight Anthony Joshua, who owns the WBA Super and IBF belts to unify the heavyweight belts once again.
Will pay to see that fight even though I suspect Parker will be out of his depth.

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Just home from seeing Joshua v Parker at a mate's house.
Joshua was too good as predicted. Antony Joshua's reach and jab were used to good effect and although Parker took a few round off him it wasn't really close. Hats off to Joseph Parker though as he is the first to go the distance with Joshua who had won all 20 of his previous professional fights by KO. It was Parker's first loss and he was all class in the ring after the loss.
The heavy weight fight beforehand was a beauty. Russian Alexander Povetkin KOd Liverpudlian David Price in a fight where both landed heavy punches. Only went 5 rounds but was a better to watch haha.