NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
    • Cooking the Books
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / New Zealand

Kiwis show Joseph Parker the love after Anthony Joshua battle

NZ Herald
1 Apr, 2018 03:02 AM4 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Joseph Parker was brave but just couldn't extend his lethal jab far enough to damage Anthony Joshua.

Joseph Parker is vowing to come back stronger and harder after his 12-round defeat by Anthony Joshua.

It was so close his promoter David Higgins has said there's enough for a rematch with Parker proving he can go the distance.

Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn quickly poured cold water on the suggestion of a rematch any time soon, stating it was "definitely" off the table for now.

"He wasn't good enough tonight, but he'll come again," Hearn said.

For his Kiwi fans, some had their own battle to contend with before the fight even kicked off - church or boxing.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Many opted to do both while others delayed mass. In Mangere, an official at the Catholic Community Chaplaincy said he had heard some Samoan churches were delaying mass this morning to give worshippers time to watch the fight.

Cars were overflowing from the Mangere Cosmopolitan Club.

Boxing fan Mark Lyrik was there at 8am.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

While his heart was rooting for Parker, he wasn't surprised Joshua won.

"I'd go for Parker obviously because he's from here but in my brain it was Joshua who was going to win."

He thought most fans would feel the same.

Anthony Joshua lands one on the face of Joseph Parker during their title fight on Sunday. Photo/Dean Purcell
Anthony Joshua lands one on the face of Joseph Parker during their title fight on Sunday. Photo/Dean Purcell

"We knew it was going to be a tough fight."

Discover more

Boxing

Joshua-Parker referee was 'amateurish' and 'killed the fight'

01 Apr 07:57 PM

As for Parker, who was sporting stitches in his swollen left eye afterwards, he and his team were gracious in defeat.

"Today I got beaten by a better champion, a better man," Parker said after the fight.

"It's disappointing but we'll be back. Just gotta take it on the chin."

He and his team were down but not out. He said he plans to bounce back by setting up another fight and "coming back stronger".

Although he wasn't a popular choice amongst punters - Joshua was the clear favourite at the TAB - he's now gained the respect of the boxing world after becoming the first fighter to take Joshua the whole way.

However, the referee has taken just as much of a battering with fans around the world slamming him for his continual interference, with Parker unable to get too close.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

But Joshua took advantage of his reach, using his jab to keep Parker at bay and get the eventual points to take the fight out.

Promoter David Higgins said Parker was philosophical with the loss and said there was enough in it for there to be a re-match, with a different referee.

"I don't know what it would take to put Joseph down – he's still never been dropped."

Asked what Parker's plans were now, Higgins said it was up to him.

"He was very philosophical ... there's not a funeral, in fact the fans will probably demand a rematch. I think we learned that Joshua is a good boxer and can go the distance."

Joshua also praised his young opponent.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"Joseph won't give up now, he's still young. I think we'll definitely see Joseph Parker again."

Kiwi stars, including Sonny Bill Williams and Che Fu, shared their support for the Kiwi champ on social media.

Love your work uso @joeboxerparker #Respect

— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) March 31, 2018

Hats off to you Joseph Parker, for real proud of you mate. Mean boxing match.

— Che-Fu (@chefumnzm) March 31, 2018

Anthony Joshua wins unanimously on points. Proud effort by Joseph Parker. Lasted 12 rounds. Two fine champions cancelling each other out. Fair result, no qualms. Shot Joe. #JoshuaParker

— James McOnie (@JamesMcOnie) March 31, 2018

Boxing great Lennox Lewis was running a commentary after each round on his twitter page. Afterwards he said it "wasn't the scrap" he'd hoped for but Joshua fought well and smart.

"Kept JP at end of jab. Ref seemed too hurried to break them up at times," he wrote.

#joshuaparker wasn’t the scrap I’d hoped it would be but AJ fought well & smart. Kept JP at end of jab. Ref seemed too hurried to break them up at times... but it was a clear win for AJ and he showed maturity & patience.#DAZN #DAZNGuestJudge #joshuaparker #Sponsored

— Lennox Lewis, CBE, CM (@LennoxLewis) March 31, 2018

He was tweeting so much he even began trending on twitter in New Zealand, something he was pretty chuffed about, saying "Big up NZ!".

Big up NZ! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾 https://t.co/QnzGzcr1rO

— Lennox Lewis, CBE, CM (@LennoxLewis) April 1, 2018

Joshua's likely next opponent, Deontay Wilder, was also vocal praising Parker and stating he was ready to take Joshua on next.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"What a robbery... WOW‼️ @joeboxerparker great job Bro omg don't apologize you did nothing wrong. True champion," he wrote on Twitter.

What a robbery... WOW‼️ @joeboxerparker great job Bro omg don’t apologize you did nothing wrong. True champion. @anthonyfjoshua, I ACCEPTED 100%

P.S. Take AFRICA off your Arm. They’re warriors. You from UK brotha pic.twitter.com/09yv1bCqrq

— Deontay Wilder (@BronzeBomber) April 1, 2018
Save

    Share this article

Latest from New Zealand

New ZealandUpdated

'All sorts of destruction': Tornado strikes Hamilton, thunderstorms buffet upper North Island

29 May 10:05 AM
New Zealand

'Painfully relevant': Debate over flag artwork prompts its removal by gallery

29 May 09:14 AM
New Zealand

Two seriously injured in alleged Auckland grievous assault

29 May 08:32 AM

Gold demand soars amid global turmoil

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

'All sorts of destruction': Tornado strikes Hamilton, thunderstorms buffet upper North Island

'All sorts of destruction': Tornado strikes Hamilton, thunderstorms buffet upper North Island

29 May 10:05 AM

Civil Defence warned Waikato weather remains 'highly dynamic'.

'Painfully relevant': Debate over flag artwork prompts its removal by gallery

'Painfully relevant': Debate over flag artwork prompts its removal by gallery

29 May 09:14 AM
Two seriously injured in alleged Auckland grievous assault

Two seriously injured in alleged Auckland grievous assault

29 May 08:32 AM
Family adds to calls for action after teen dies in run it straight tackle game

Family adds to calls for action after teen dies in run it straight tackle game

29 May 08:01 AM
Explore the hidden gems of NSW
sponsored

Explore the hidden gems of NSW

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • What the Actual
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven CarGuide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP