Over in Auckland, New Zealand the Kiwi fighter Joseph Parker extended his professional record to 19-0 after a gruelling fight against Carlos Takem.
The fight, an eliminator for the IBF heavyweight title currently held by our own Anthony Joshua, was awarded to Parker by a unanimous points decision with the judges awarding the fight to Parker by the following scores:
? 116 – 112
? 116 – 112
? 115 ? 113
Although Parker got the win and remains on track to fight for a world title, there were many questions left unanswered about the unbeaten fighter.
The Kiwi started the fight well, boxing decently for four rounds, catching his opponent with some decent punches but the fifth saw him tire dramatically and if Takem had of taken the initiative the outcome could have been so different.
But Takem, who has mixed it with the best, seemed content to stalk his man but without actually throwing any decent punches. Far too often he was content to only unleash in the last minute with some punches visibly wobbling Parker.
At times Parker looked to be very tired and his left arm was hung far too low to deter any punches. One last desperate onslaught, by Parker, almost stopped Takem but the cagey older fighter rallied to hold on and push Parker to the final bell in the twelfth round.
Parker will no doubt go on to bigger and better things but Takem might well consider this a lot opportunity to gate-crash the world title scene.
Parker Gets Points Win over Takem
