Anthony Joshua has won his bout with Joseph Parker on points, all three judges finding strongly in his favour – 118-110, 118-110, 119-109.
It’s the battle of two unbeaten heavyweights when England’s Anthony Joshua takes on New Zealand’s Joseph Parker in Wales. Join The Roar for round-by-round updates and debate in our live blog from 7am (AEST).
Both fighters hold versions of the world heavyweight title, with 28-year-old Joshua holding the WBA and IBF belts, while 26-year-old Parker has the WBO title.
There’s also another unbeaten heavyweight champion in the wings – America’s Deontay Wilder (40-0), who holds the WBC belt. The winner of Joshua/Parker could set up an eagerly anticipated unification payday with Wilder later this year.
Joshua is the heavy favourite leading into this bout. He won the super-heavyweight gold medal at the London Olympics before turning pro, and since then he’s had 20 KO victories in 20 fights. He’s a devastating puncher, with his bouts lasting just over three rounds on average.
He did get an almighty scare though against 41-year-old Ukrainian legend Wladimir Klitschko nearly twelve months ago. In an epic heavyweight battle, Klitschko recovered from being dropped in the fifth round to put Joshua down in the sixth and almost finish him.
To his credit, Joshua withstood his most serious challenge to date and knocked Klitschko out in the 11th round. Joshua was ahead on two judge’s cards at the time, but the third judge had Klitschko ahead.
Parker has 18 KOs in his unbeaten 24-fight career. He’s gone the 12-round championship distance four times, but his big challenge in this fight will be avoiding Joshua’s bombs to get that far. The Englishman will have a height and reach advantage over him, and more punching power.
But anything can happen in a heavyweight fight and there’s no doubt all his New Zealand countrymen will be cheering Parker on to cause a massive upset.
The Grafter
Guest
He was terrible Zedman. Seemed to be totally focused on Parker hence missing the flapping tape twice. Two big boys willing to throw punches on the inside should be allowed to. Maybe he was selected to be the ref because of his size (he was on par with Parker)? Would rather of seen Bayless or one of the other top US refs.
BigJ
Roar Guru
The fight would generate more money in the uk could sellout Wembley again with 90000 plus. Usa stadiums would be hard press to find 60000 plus to rock up to a fight there. Msg and T-Mobile only hold 20000 so it might better for the fight to be I the uk. Or better yet bring it here at the mcg and get 100000 plus
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me on the coverage, hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to leave your comments on the fight.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
A Wilder fight with Whyte would be a good matchup, but I hope its Wilder/Joshua next, that's the one everyone wants to see. From what Joshua said in the post-fight interview though he's not prepared to go to the US, so that could be a stumbling block.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Joshua has just called out WBC champ Deontay Wilder for a heavyweight title unification bout, but he doesn't want it to be in the US.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Yep that would probably have been the only way for Parker to score more regularly with Joshua's reach advantage.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Yea the ref seemed to put a stop to any in-close fighting unfortunately.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
The ref wanted to be noticed, Parker needed to be inside but the ref intervened too early.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Wilder will ko Joshua no worries. Wilder to be the next baddest man on the planet, your thoughts, john will wilder fight Joshua or Whyte next???
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Was a pretty average fight mate, not much action at all. Joshua was very wary of Parker all fight, so he must have respected what he could do. Parker tried his best, but Joshua's reach made it hard for him to get close enough to land. The referee also broke them up whenever they got in close, which stopped the flow a bit,
John Coomer
Roar Guru
All three judges have scored the fight for Joshua (118-110, 118-110, 119-109).
BigJ
Roar Guru
A lacklustre fight at best, boring!!!
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Now waiting for the judges’ decisions.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Round 12 Joshua gets taken the distance for the first time in his career, but he controlled the last round. He should get the points decision in a fight that didn’t reach any great heights. Full credit to Parker though, he forced Joshua to be wary of him for the full 12 rounds.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Round 11 Joshua bounded off the stool in that round, but it then settled into pattern of the rest of the fight and was another close, watchful round. It certainly looks like Joshua’s KO streak will come to an end, he hasn’t rocked Parker this fight.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Round 10 Better round for Joshua, he opened up a cut over Parker’s left eye. Looking more aggressive, Parker tiring but still trying hard.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Round 9 A close round, not much landing from either fighter. Parker is trying to land, Joshua keeping him at bay with his jab. Probably a Joshua round, though again it wasn’t conclusive at all and could go either way.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Coomesy, it seems that the fight is lack buster at best, do you think things will pick up??
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Round 8 A fairly lacklustre round, Joshua landed a good flurry late to probably steal it. Parker is still in this though, Joshua is still wary of him as Parker is increasingly looking to throw.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Doing better than many expected.