Boxing trainer Aaron Warren said it was an incredibly close fight but Parker lost. Photo/File
Boxing trainer Aaron Warren said it was an incredibly close fight but Parker lost. Photo/File
"Let's be honest, Joseph Parker lost last night."
That was the statement of former New Zealand national champion and RotoVegas head coach and owner Aaron Warren, after Joseph Parker's historic victory over Andy Ruiz Jr for the WBO world heavyweight title in Auckland last night.
"Of course it was anincredibly close fight but Parker lost. There wasn't a lot in it and you do have to give Joseph credit because he went the full yards but Ruiz was better overall," Warren said.
"Andy had much more power in his punches and was the aggressor for the whole of the fight. Parker won the last couple of rounds but looking back over all the rounds Ruiz should have got the win.
New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker celebrates his win over Andy Ruiz Jr last night. Photo/Photosport
Mike Sykes, the Sykes Boxing Gym owner and former welterweight New Zealand champion took a different viewpoint but said he was "very disappointed' with how Parker boxed.
"I think Parker just sneaked it and won it through his jabs," he said.
"It was real close and I am disappointed with how Parker fought. He was on the back foot all night and I feel he should have put more on the line.
"Ruiz really boxed with more heart and more drive. Considering how big this fight was, for New Zealand, Joseph could have given more.
"I'm definitely thinking there will be a re-match. There needs to be."
Warren's and Sykes' comments follow on from the President of the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association - Lance Revill's strong comment, "I'm embarrassed being a Kiwi after last night," in regards to the fight.
He added: "Let's get one thing straight, I'm a great friend of Joseph Parker, he's been to my gym a number of times, he's sparred with my heavyweights when he was an amateur. I've got a lot of time for him," Revill told Tony Veitch the morning after Parker claimed the WBO world heavyweight title.
"I'm afraid to say that he didn't win the fight last night. Ruiz cleaned him out."
Andy Ruiz Jr believed he won the bout. Photo/Photosport
Warren said he thought Revill's words were "a little too strong" but added that the President of the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association "knows what he's talking about".
"I have to say I think they were a little strong. I mean you have to give Joseph some credit," Warren said.
"But Revill knows what he's on about. He's a good guy and he's trained a lot of champions and knows what he's talking about.
"I personally wouldn't say 'I'm embarrassed to be a Kiwi right now' but let's put it this way when I walked into the gym [RotoVegas] this morning all of my boxers said Ruiz had won - there was no doubt."
Sykes added: "Lance has been a bit harsh. I think he has a point but they are very strong words. I think we should try and take the positives from this. This is good for New Zealand and will open up doors for boxers in this country."
