Joseph Parker WBO Heavyweight Champion [1]
Monday, December 12, 2016 - 16:52. Updated on Friday, December 16, 2016 - 18:55.
Kiwi-Samoan boxer Joseph Parker (24) became a world champion after he defeated Andy Ruiz by majority decision on Saturday night. The win makes Parker the first Pacific Islander in history to win a world heavyweight championship belt.
Parker holding the WBO championship belt and will now contest three other world champions; Deontay Wilder of the United States (WBC belt), Anthony Joshua of the United Kingdom (IBF belt) and Tyson Fury also of the United Kingdom (Lineal).
Saturday's fight was by no means easy with Mexican-American fighter Andy Ruiz (26) dominating in the early rounds. However, Parker eventually got the better of his opponent after landing some heavy punches in the closing rounds.
Two of the three judges scored Parker as the winner, the other judge scored the fight a draw. Andy Ruiz has disputed the result and is demanding a rematch.