Anthony Joshua unifies world heavyweight boxing titles with victory over New Zealander Parker

NIGERIAN-born world heavyweight boxer Anthony Olufemi Joshua has added the World boxing Organisation (WBO) title to his portfolio after winning a unanimous points decision over New Zealander Joseph Parker last night in Cardiff.

 

With this win, Joshua is now the undisputed heavyweight champions as he holds the World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF), International Boxing Organisation (IBO) and WBO belts. Last night's victory at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, the Welsh capital, now puts him on a par with Mike Tyson.

 

During the fight, Joshua used his left hand to telling effect throughout an intriguing affair, in which Parker displayed swift hands, movement and impressive durability. Parker tagged his rival to howls of concern in the 11th round and deserves immense respect for becoming the first man to take Joshua to the scorecards, which read 118-110,118-110 and119-109.

 

Never before had two world champions from the glamour division met to unify titles on British soil. For the away fighter this was a whole new level of scrutiny and for Joshua, it was a third consecutive stadium fight, with a cumulative 250,000 seats sold in the process.

 

Each fighter walked to the ring to an accompaniment of strobe lights, flames and fireworks, with the estimated 78,000 in attendance providing a glittering background as smart phones lit up the tiers. After the fight, the beaten man admitted he lost to a better champion but he at least showed the granite chin his camp had built much of their hope on beforehand.

 

Unlike Joshua, Parker has never been dropped as an amateur or a professional and he showed his durability in sucking up two hard left hooks early in the 10th. This was a more chess-like Joshua as the knockout artist Britain has grown to love was forced to show poise over 36 minutes, although the result never really looked in doubt.

 

Joshua said: "This was about boxing finesse, I know what it takes to be a champion. Joshua Parker said he wanted a war but it was all about boxing finesse and the main thing we cannot forget is that I am the unified heavyweight champion of the world."

 

Parker added: "I want to go back and come back stronger. I have no regrets, we take it on the chin but we'll be back again and we'll work harder to come back as I would love to have another go."

 

Share