World champion, Anthony Joshua has won the first heavyweight unification fight as he gained a unanimous points verdict against Joseph Parker on Saturday in front of a 78,000 capacity crowd at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff.
It was a unanimous points win for Joshua after two judges gave the fight to him by a margin of 118-110, with the third scoring it 119-109.
With the victory, he has now added the WBO belt to his WBA and IBF belts.
The triumph also extended the London 2012 Olympic champion’ imaculate professional record to 21 wins from as many bouts but all of his previous wins had been by way of knockouts.
Parker was never a threat on the night as he failed to translate his pre-match rhetprics into punches.
But he became the first boxer to take Joshua the distance for the first time as the British-born Nigerian boxer dug deep for his 21st straight career victory.
Parker from New Zealander was undefeated in his career until he met Joshua. He fought gallantly but had no chance against the world champion.
He later admitted to Skysports: “I got beaten by better champion. It’s been a good experience being here and I’m thankful for the opportunity.
“I want to go back and come back stronger. I have no regrets, we take it on the chin. We’ll be back again and we’ll work harder to come back. I would love to have another go.”
On if interruptions from the referee disrupted his tactics: “We could have worked inside more, we can’t change it. Of course, I’m young, fit and strong. I’m fit to go 12 rounds, thanks to all the New Zealanders here and back home.
“He [Anthony Joshua] is a good big man and was better on the day. We’ll be back.”
Joshua said after the match, “My strategy was to stick behind the jab, that’s one of the most important weapons.”
The win now makes his match against Deontay Wilder more likley.
The American holds the World Boxing Council’s version of the heavyweight title. Only Wilder’s WBC belt is stopping the Joshua from having the full set of titles.
Wilder didn’t show up at Cradiff to watch Joshua beat Parker but Joshua said after his victory: “I want Wilder… Get him in the ring and I’ll knock him spark out.”
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