Rotorua's Matua Parkinson celebrates with his winning trophy. PHOTO/ SUPPLIED
Rotorua's Matua Parkinson celebrates with his winning trophy. PHOTO/ SUPPLIED
There may have been controversy surrounding Joseph Parker's historic WBO world heavyweight title victory on Saturday night but this certainly wasn't the case whenMatua Parkinson fought a day earlier.
Rotorua Boys' High School student Parkinson, 16, beat Trei Italio in a light-heavyweight bout on Friday at the Young Guns Blazingboxing event in Auckland.
Despite being 19kg lighter than his opponent, the RotoVegas fighter dominated in the ring - winning the first and second rounds 10-8 and the third 10-9.
Parkinson, trained by RotoVegas head coach Aaron Warren, said he was wary of his "giant opposition" but a strong jab and right overhand were key to his success.
"I have to be honest I was very intimidated when I saw Trei across the ring," he said. "I just thought blimey that's one big lad. But I made sure to get off to a good start and my fitness played a big part.
"He [Italio] had some big hits but I managed to get some good jabs and right overhands in there."
Warren added: "The amount of training he's been doing really showed and he just didn't lose focus. He executed the basic punches well and fully deserved the win."
Local Matua Parkinsonis dreams of winning the WBO world heavyweight title in the future. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER
Parkinson headed back to Rotorua after his fight just in time to watch his hero, Joseph Parker, win a momentous fight over Andy Ruiz Jr for the WBO world heavyweight title in Auckland, at his grandma's house on Saturday night.
"I was cheering and yelling throughout the fight. I'm so glad he got the win even if he was a bit lucky," Parkinson said.
"It was incredible for New Zealand. When I was watching I said to myself 'that is going to be on my waist one day."
Warren added: "He definitely has the potential to go all the way. Parker's victory has opened up the shell for boxing in New Zealand and now we need to push youngsters like Matua and help them make it big."
