Anthony Joshua defeats Joseph Parker on points to win fourth world title

Anthony Joshua is a man in a hurry as he looks to unify the heavyweight division. Joshua, took the distance for the first time in 21 paid bouts, collecting a third world title belt when he cruised to a convincing if drama-free win over the WBO champion, Joseph Parker, and looks in good shape to raise his game for what will be a more demanding assignment against Deontay Wilder.

Joshua needed to get through the longest fight of his career to collect the third of the big four belts, though.

The British-Nigerian fighter was taken the distance for the first time in his professional career against Joseph Parker on Saturday, beating the previously undefeated New Zealander in a unanimous decision in front of 78,000 fans in Cardiff.

Two of the judges saw it 118-110, and the third had it 119-109 – a bit harsh on the New Zealander, who might have had a share of the sixth and a shout of stealing the seventh in a fleeting period of success. But the verdict was, overall, fair. It was a technical fight, a clinical victory.

It was Joshua’s 21st straight win and he added Parker’s WBO belt to his WBA and IBF titles.
Still, Joshua struggled to raise a smile.

I was always going to stick behind the jab, one of the most important weapons in boxing, and kept the right hand up. This is boxing. It’s what we do. Forget the hype. Joseph Parker is a good world champion. As I said before, this would be about boxing. The main thing now is I am the unified heavyweight champion of the world, Joshua said.

I’m not elated because I don’t let the highs get to my head. And I always think we’ve got to go again soon.

We are still hustling. We are on to the next one, in my eyes. It’s not time to sit back and enjoy the ride.

And that only means one thing: Becoming undisputed champion by beating big-punching American Deontay Wilder, the WBC champion.

I think 2018 was always a time to capture all the belts,” Joshua said.

We are one away now.

Renowned for his destructive punching power, Joshua showed another side to his boxing repertoire against Parker, whose movement, fast hands and counter-attacking ability made him a tricky opponent.

The jab was the key for Joshua against an often-retreating opponent. He barely landed a clean shot with his big right hand but he didn’t need to, despite the clamor from the crowd — and his mother watching from home who called for a knockout in the second or seventh round.