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Regional | Boxing

Parker en route to World Title

Last night at Manukau’s Vodafone Events Centre, in front of a vocal home crowed. New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker overcame Cameroonian-French boxer Carlos Takam, winning by a unanimous decision and now has a guaranteed shot at the IFB World title.

Joseph Parker says, “He came prepared, he came focused and he put on the pressure.”

After 12 tough rounds, Parker, came out on top securing the mandatory position, however this may not happen until early 2017. Parker could possibly have two more fights before his title challenge, with details to be announced Tuesday 24th May in Auckland.

Head coach, Kevin Barry says, “The thing for me was hearing that all three judges voted for Joe, and there is no controversy.”

Both fighters showed courage and determination, which lead to a hard night at the office and keeping the sold out Event’s centre on the edge of their seats the entire fight.

Parker says, “I felt like I had him in the eighth round, I hit him with a lot of shots to the head, but the only thing I forgot to do was go to the body.”

This fight was by far the toughest fight to date for the Parker camp. They took a calculated risk venturing into deep waters, testing Parker’s abilities against the tough Takam, who was very much like the real deal presenting an opportunity for the 24yr old Parker to test his chin against an experienced opponent.

Kevin Barry says, “Everyone was saying what it is like when Joseph gets hit on the chin, not once or twice but plenty of times. But I think you can see there is nothing wrong with the chin of Joseph Parker.”

Parker becomes just the third NZ heavyweight boxer to fight for a world title.

Gisborne fighter, Tom Heeney was unsuccessful in his challenge for the world title against Gene Tunney in New York City on 26th July 1928. In 2000 David Tua fought Lennox Lewis for the world title in Las Vegas, he was also unsuccessful losing by unanimous decision.