In an IBF heavyweight eliminator, IBF #4 Joseph Parker (19-0, 16 KOs) won a clear twelve round unanimous decision over IBF #3 Carlos Takam (33-3-1, 25 KOs) last night at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau City, New Zealand. Parker started the fight pensive, mostly having a look at what Takam had to offer, occasionally a Takam left hook clipped Joseph, but the Frenchmans workrate let him down early on.. Parker controlled rounds 2 through 4 by patiently outworking the usually busy Takam with crisp combinations to secure an early lead.. Round five saw Takam force Parker to fight on the back foot, looking lethargic Parker began to ship heavy leather, something he has rarely had to do through his career so far, the pattern continued into the 6th, Parker having to weather the storm by holding and evading the Takam assault.. Just when Parker looked like he was coming apart, he sprung to life to stagger Takam with a series of shots to both head and body, salvaging the round. Parker was notably exhausted by round 8, but Carlos Takam was by now feeling the pace himself and it allowed the New Zealander the luxury of boxing at his own pace.. With Parker comfortably ahead, the last round saw both men go for broke, Takam trying to find the one shot to turn everything around and Parker returning fire... Both men stood their ground for a grandstand finale that we rarely see in heavyweight fights today... Takam brought out the best in Joseph Parker who passed the stiffest test of his career so far..
Scores were 116-112, 116-112, 115-113.
Parker showed he belongs in the heavyweight championship mix, but needs work to compete at the levels of Joshua and Wilder.
No comments:
Post a Comment