New Zealand's new heavyweight champion of the world Joseph Parker has achieved his first dream, now he plans to fulfill his next one - to unify the division, a lofty goal but one that he is justified in having after his hard-fought but deserved victory over Andy Ruiz Jr.
But first there is a break to take. Parker is one of the busiest heavyweights in the top echelon and, this, his 15th fight in three years, will have taken its toll, and particularly in terms of taxing his mental reserves. He will probably fight again in March or April, and potentially against Hughie Fury, cousin of Tyson who vacated the WBO belt.
Parker, 24, did it the hard way, and Ruiz Jr later claimed the victory for himself. Down by as many as four rounds at the Vector Arena as he attempted to keep the hard-charging Mexican at bay, Parker showed incredible patience, confidence in his game plan, and ability, to not only nullify Ruiz Jr's threat, but finish over the top for his majority points decision. It's only fair that he is given a chance to take stock and re-charge.
Parker's corner erupted at the 114-114, 115-113 and 115-113 decision by the judges. Trainer Kevin Barry, in particular, was ecstatic. He promised his late father, Kevin senior, that he would take a fighter to a heavyweight world championship, and having just failed with David Tua in Las Vegas 16 years ago, he did it with a humble young man from Papatoetoe instead.
"He'll be happy won't he?" Barry, an Olympic silver medallist, said of his father. "He'll be looking down and I think he'll be pretty proud. It's really special. It's the most special moment of my boxing career. Being there in 2000 was good because it was my first time, and I won it with [light heavyweight Beibut] Shumenov, but to be here in New Zealand with Joe, somebody who I have so much respect for, somebody who I love so much, for him to create history in New Zealand and for me to be part of it, it's very special."
