Kiwi heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker (12-0) will meet American journeyman Jason Pettaway (17-1) in his 13th professional bout in Auckland tonight. Daniel Richardson takes a look back on five of Parker's best performances from his burgeoning professional career.
1. Parker v Irineu Beato Costa Junior; December, 2014.
Parker wins via 4th round KO
A contender for knockout of the year, Parker flattened the Big Brazilian with a strong right hand, which left the judges out of a job for the evening. Parker's body work was impressive in the early going as it forced Costa Junior (16-3), who had never been stopped previously, to drop his hands and Parker delivered. There's genuine knockout power in those paws.
2. Parker v Brian Minto; July, 2014.
Parker won via 7th round TKO
Minto (39-8) maintains he came in to this bout with other things on his mind as his father was on his deathbed; the American veteran also had a fractured nose. But Parker put on a strong showing here as his hand speed was too much for The Beast who was dropped in the fifth and seventh rounds before retiring on his stool before the eighth round began.
3. Parker v Francois Botha; June, 2013.
Parker won via 2nd round TKO
There's no denying that Botha (48-11-3), a former heavyweight title challenger, was past his best when he climbed in the ring against the man he dubbed 'Baby Joseph' but the conclusion was explosive and brutal. Parker took care of business in scintillating fashion and showed that his partnership with trainer Kevin Barry was one that might stick. This fight marked the first time Parker and Barry had teamed for a bout on New Zealand soil. Parker has since done his training camps in Las Vegas and his development has been rapid.
4. Parker v Sherman Williams; October, 2014.
Parker won via unanimous decision
Only diehard fans of the 'sweet science' would search for replays of this one but it was perhaps the most important fight Parker has been through. A boxer can spar all the rounds in the gym they like but nothing replicates time in the ring against an opponent when the bright lights are shining. Williams, a respected veteran with a bowling ball for a head, provided a steady moving target for Parker as the pair went the scheduled 10 rounds. Williams (37-14-2, 1NC) protested the one-sided scoring but Parker - as one TV commentator put it - pitched a shutout. Importantly, Parker showed the required patience to stick to a fight-plan, which had been lacking in his earlier bouts.
