NOTES FROM AUCKLAND: PARKER MAKES HISTORY
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 11 Dec 2016
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - The big fight atmosphere was palpable the moment I got out of the airport. The cab driver who picked me up asked me about my thoughts about the fight.
The car radio played highlights of quotes from Joseph Parker and Andy Ruiz during their press conference. The prospect of witnessing two hard hitting unbeaten heavyweights in action made me think of all the classic fights that I saw with my grandfather and father as a child. They influenced me to become a boxing fan.
When I turned on the television in my hotel room, Joseph Parker was being interviewed by a local sports channel. ?The pressure on the hometown boy must be enormous,? I thought.
Both Ruiz and Parker were civil during the weigh-in. They were calm but for those who witnessed the event, the idea of who would land first made us salivate.
The fight was tense. Both tasted each other?s power early, Ruiz seemed to have a slight edge but past the half way mark, Parker?s jab and lateral movement made him win rounds.
Both landed their share of left hooks and over hand rights. But Parker?s body punching paid off in the later rounds, Ruiz still had a second wind and his continuing aggression had the home fans inside the Vector Arena sitting on pins and needles. But they yelled themselves hoarse for Parker till the final bell.
The scores underscored the drama of the fight ? Salven Lagumbay ? 114-114, Ingo Barrabas and Ramon Pascual Cerdan ? 115-113 for the new WBO Heavyweight world champion, Joseph Parker.
The buzz about a rematch started immediately after the fight.
The fight was a classy, black tie affair at ringside with fans treated with juicy salmon and steaks. In attendance was Top Rank CEO Bob Arum. The arena was packed, I don?t think there was an empty seat in the house.
There were three other WBO belts at stake ? Jeff Horn of Australia decked South African Ali Funeka twice in the sixth to prevail by TKO and retain his WBO Intercontinental welterweight title, Isaac Dogboe of Ghana was impressive in his seventh round TKO victory over Argentine Julian Aristule and in the distaff side, Aussie Shannon O?Connell beat Laura Griffa of Argentina by unanimous verdict in another entertaining bout for the vacant WBO Asia Paicifc female super bantamweight title.
Undercards ? Junior Fa WTKOA Pablo Magrini with a body punch, John Parker WUD 4 Ashley McConville and Brown Butterbean stopped Che Barlow in four rounds.
Auckland's Joseph Parker celebrates after winning the WBO heavyweight title by majority decision over erstwhile undefeated Andy Ruiz of the United States Saturday night in Auckland, New Zealand.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Additional Matchups for Saturday, February 28 Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York
Fri, 30 Jan 2026SWERVE TV STRIKES MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS TO EXPAND PREMIUM BOXING CONTENT
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Leuenbergers to join IRONMAN® 70.3 Davao
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 30 Jan 2026Open Workout: Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou Prepare For Saturday's Unification Showdown in Puerto Rico
Thu, 29 Jan 2026Cabrera-Zapata Kicks Off All Star Boxing's 2026 Season
Thu, 29 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: Cash prizes, FIDE rating at stakes this Sunday
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 29 Jan 2026IBP Fun Run & Family Day on February 15
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 29 Jan 2026TEOFIMO LOPEZ AND SHAKUR STEVENSON FACE-OFF AT KNICKS GAME AS COUNTDOWN TO ‘THE RING 6’ ON SATURDAY BEGINS
Wed, 28 Jan 2026Davao to sponsor P500K in IRONMAN 70.3
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 28 Jan 2026JOSH KELLY SOUNDS WARNING TO WORLD TITLE RIVAL BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV AS HE TARGETS HISTORIC NORTH EAST HOMECOMING
Wed, 28 Jan 2026Gallegos and Alvarez Shine Bright with Knockout Wins at Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Wed, 28 Jan 2026Pedro Carrasco Remembered in Spain 25 Years After His Passing
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 28 Jan 2026Gensan Outdoor, Gensan Educator support MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit in Mt. Apo
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 28 Jan 2026Vitor vs Subkhankulov, Tapales vs Kalsynov in Double IBF Asia Title Fights in Moscow on Feb. 13
By Dong Secuya, Tue, 27 Jan 2026“It’s about owning my own journey” Jeanine Brown retuns for Title Clash March 13 – Thunderdome 53
Tue, 27 Jan 2026