Anthony Joshua's ascent to the summit of modern heavyweight greatness continued on Saturday night but it was more of a chess match than a war as the Londoner outpointed Joseph Parker to claim a third 'major' world-title belt.
Anthony Joshua unified the heavyweight division as he defeated Joseph Parker by unanimous decision at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
The three judges scored the fight 119-109, 118-110 and 118-110 as Joshua won the WBO heavyweight title, adding it to his IBF, WBA and IBO belts.
It was a cagey fight throughout, with neither man managing to land any major shots. There were brief moments where the fight came alive, but in the main it was quiet.
Referee Giuseppe Quartarone received a lot of criticism in the fight, as he failed to let the boxers exchange during a lot of the action.
After the fight, Joshua called out WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder for another unification fight, where a win would make Joshua undisputed champion.
On the undercard, Manchester fighter Anthony Crolla picked up a unanimous decision win against Edson Ramirez, and David Price was knocked out by Alexander Povetkin in the fifth round.
Parker, cut on the eye in the 10th and showing a terrific chin, is as tough as they come, taking uppercuts and hooks. But it was not good enough in this meeting and it was Joshua's jab which took the fight away from him after the middle rounds.
"I felt good, I need to work harder on more things. He was a bigger, better man today, but I'll be back," said Parker, who refused to blame the referee. Dignified to the last.
Anthony Joshua unified the heavyweight division as he defeated Joseph Parker by unanimous decision at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
The three judges scored the fight 119-109, 118-110 and 118-110 as Joshua won the WBO heavyweight title, adding it to his IBF, WBA and IBO belts.
It was a cagey fight throughout, with neither man managing to land any major shots. There were brief moments where the fight came alive, but in the main it was quiet.
Referee Giuseppe Quartarone received a lot of criticism in the fight, as he failed to let the boxers exchange during a lot of the action.
After the fight, Joshua called out WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder for another unification fight, where a win would make Joshua undisputed champion.
On the undercard, Manchester fighter Anthony Crolla picked up a unanimous decision win against Edson Ramirez, and David Price was knocked out by Alexander Povetkin in the fifth round.
Parker, cut on the eye in the 10th and showing a terrific chin, is as tough as they come, taking uppercuts and hooks. But it was not good enough in this meeting and it was Joshua's jab which took the fight away from him after the middle rounds.
"I felt good, I need to work harder on more things. He was a bigger, better man today, but I'll be back," said Parker, who refused to blame the referee. Dignified to the last.
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