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Joseph Parker wins WBO world heavyweight title in tight battle

Joseph Parker and trainer Kevin Barry (left) celebrates after beating Andy Ruiz to win the WBO world boxing heavyweight title. [photo: PHOTOSPORT via Stuff NZ]
He has created history, winning the WBO Heavyweight boxing title for New Zealand and Samoa

oseph Parker proved as good as his word as he became the first New Zealand-born heavyweight world boxing champion.

An impressive Parker battled hard over the back end of the fight to beat Mexico's Andy Ruiz in Auckland on Saturday night to win the vacant WBO belt by majority points decision.

The judges scored it 114-114, 115-113, 115-113 – a reflection of how close it was.

The 24-year-old believed he was in the best shape of his career and promised to use his increased weight and size alongside his noted jab and hand speed to torment Ruiz.

Parker's quest now will be to go on and unify the top of the sport's glamour division. The WBO belt represents the first rung on a ladder of four to the ultimate glory as the undisputed champion.

Ruiz, who had won 29 fights heading into this momentous occasion in front of 10,000 at Vector Arena, suffered the first loss of his career in a brutal and brave display. The 27-year-old returns home empty handed and Mexico, such a proud boxing nation, must still wait for their first heavyweight champion.

Parker extended his unbeaten run to 22 fights and celebrated in style in the ring. For the first time in his career he lifted both hands high – read it as a V for victory or a W for world title. He said he would only extend both arms to the heavens once he had won a world championship and he did.

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Joseph Parker proved as good as his word as he became the first New Zealand-born heavyweight world boxing champion.

An impressive Parker battled hard over the back end of the fight to beat Mexico's Andy Ruiz in Auckland on Saturday night to win the vacant WBO belt by majority points decision.

The judges scored it 114-114, 115-113, 115-113 – a reflection of how close it was.

The 24-year-old believed he was in the best shape of his career and promised to use his increased weight and size alongside his noted jab and hand speed to torment Ruiz.

Parker's quest now will be to go on and unify the top of the sport's glamour division. The WBO belt represents the first rung on a ladder of four to the ultimate glory as the undisputed champion.

Ruiz, who had won 29 fights heading into this momentous occasion in front of 10,000 at Vector Arena, suffered the first loss of his career in a brutal and brave display. The 27-year-old returns home empty handed and Mexico, such a proud boxing nation, must still wait for their first heavyweight champion.

Parker extended his unbeaten run to 22 fights and celebrated in style in the ring. For the first time in his career he lifted both hands high – read it as a V for victory or a W for world title. He said he would only extend both arms to the heavens once he had won a world championship and he did.

Read more at Stuff New Zealand