Parker prevailed in ‘bigger than Ben Hur’ Ruiz rumble
Tomorrow’s fight in Cardiff will be the second time Joseph Parker has contested a world title. reports.
Ben Hur. Ten thousand teemed through the Vector Arena’s doors. Sporting glitterati filled the ringside seats, All Blacks Beauden Barrett and Jerome Kaino, World Cup winning coach Sir Graham Henry, Warriors duo Manu Vatuvei and Roger Tuivasa-sheck, Victoria Cross winner Willie Apiata and Olympic rowing champion Eric Murray drawn to the action like moths to a flame.
The paying public got their money’s worth with the fight going the full distance.
Parker was spurred by his hometown support, but the nuggety Ruiz gave as good as he got.
The outcome couldn’t have been closer. One judge sat on the fence — 114-114. The other two plumped for Parker, 115-113. The Kiwi’s right hand was raised in a victory salute as the roof was raised.
Not everyone accepted the verdict. Ruiz’s camp claimed they were robbed. New Zealand Professional Boxing Association Lance Revill — a former Commonwealth Games minor medallist and match referee — reckoned Ruiz was ‘‘ripped off’ in his bid to become Mexico’s first world heavyweight champion.
Parker set a new national record — the first New Zealand-born boxer to win a world heavyweight title (Bob Fitzsimmons, though Timaru raised, was born in Cornwall).
The new champ was in no doubt as to the veracity of his victory. this fight. But old habits die hard, particularly in the heat of battle. Given he must find a way to get to Joshua and also get out of trouble, Parker has to maximise this area. Joshua: 7/10
Parker: 8/10
DEFENCE
Another coin toss with Joshua’s few wobbles suggesting their are holes to be exploited. Parker has often had a lazy left hand and he can’t afford to drop that considering the danger of Joshua’s overhand right. Parker has an uncanny ability to roll with opponent’s punches, often turning what appear to be deadly shots into glancing blows of little effect. Joshua: 8/10
Parker: 7/10
CONCLUSION
It’s probably about 60-40 in favour of Joshua, particularly when you add in home advantage. But that’s a long way from the starting odds when few were giving Parker much chance at all. The seriousness with which he has prepared and his general demeanour bode well for this toughest assignment. It’s the heavyweight division and the way these guys can bang, one punch can make the difference. But this is a far more rounded equation than most people think. Parker will need everything he has got to come out a unified champion and it’s hard to see that happening via a points decision. OVERALL TOTALS: Joshua: 58/70
Parker: 55/70
DUNCAN JOHNSTONE