Anthony Joshua remains undefeated and has picked up the WBO heavyweight world title after beating Joe Parker in unanimous points decision Cardiff.
The two world champions put their undefeated records on the line last night at the Principality Stadium, with four of the five world belts up for grabs in an almighty unification scrap. And it was Joshua who emerged triumphant, claiming his 21st consecutive professional victory with a 118-110, 119-109 and 118-110 victory. It was a cagey fight that never really got into second gear, with Parker’s awkward style and Joshua happy to sit behind his dominant jab.
Facing the toughest opponent on his short pro career after Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko, Parker was still the underdog. The Kiwi had won 24 fights in a row but had never been in the ring with a fighter of Joshua’s calibre. That was evident in Wales as the Briton used his greater height and reach, not to mention punching power and weight, to out-box the 26-year-old in a tactical showdown.
In the first round both tried to test each other’s speed out, content to sit behind their left jabs. Joshua was the aggressor and backed Parker into the ropes. In the second round Joshua again pressured the New Zealander, with the Londoner’s long reach telling. Parker struggled to close the distance in the third round, with Joshua slightly busier. It was a cagey opening with few scoring punches.
In the fourth round Joshua stalked Parker with intent and lifted his intensity. The Kiwi remained on the backfoot, unable to trouble Joshua. In the fifth round the Brit rocked Parker slightly, and the WBO champ couldn’t manage to land many punches through Joshua’s defence.
The referee called a timeout after a frenetic opening to the start of the sixth round as Parker and Joshua went toe-to-toe. Parker sensed his chance and upped his work-rate in his best performing round. Growing in confidence, Parker’s blows started to make their mark. In the seventh round the distance began to close and Joshua’s frustration at the New Zealander’s movement and reticence to stand and trade grew.
The eighth round began with a flurry of left jabs from Joshua. The referee kept stepping in to break the pair up, stopping any momentum in their exchanges. Joshua landed a solid right hook as the eighth round finished. Neither boxer seemed at their very best and were conservative in their approach as the bout bore on.
In the ninth round Joshua had his glove taped up with 50 seconds left, with little real damage being dished out by either fighter. A cut opened up over Parker’s left eye in the 10th round after catching a stray elbow. Joshua’s strength behind his jab, and his dominance over the centre of the ring, forced Parker to retreat regularly.
In the 11th round the Kiwi tried to work inside and unsettle Joshua. But he was having little success as the fight slipped away from him. The final round dawned and was much the same as the previous 11 – both taking few risks as the final bell rang.
The scores came as a little surprise and now only Detonay Wilder stands between Joshua and the mantle as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
