In the modern age of boxing there seems to be more belts than punches thrown. What, in my opinion, is more important, is seeing a Kiwi at the pinnacle of the sport.
For a small boxing nation we punch well above our weight… pun intended.
In the past we've seen David Tua take on the world's best and long before him Timaru boxer Bob Fitzsimmons became the first man to win world titles in three weight divisions: middleweight, light-heavyweight and heavyweight.
But, it must be noted, neither were born on these shores. Tua hailed from Samoa while Fitzsimmons was from Cornwall, England - the son of Irish immigrants.
Tom Heeney was the only other New Zealand-born heavyweight to fight for the world title, in 1928.
Parker will be the underdog in Wales, but that will mean little to a man who has constantly had to prove his prowess.
Good luck, Joseph, from a Kiwi-Englishman.
