Boxing: Joseph Parker won't appeal Dillian Whyte defeat

Joseph Parker following his defeat to Dillian Whyte. Photo / Getty

Heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker won't appeal his defeat to Dillian Whyte, Duco CEO David Higgins confirmed today.

Fronting the media for the first time since arriving back in New Zealand last week, Parker said "I felt like I was in a dream" after suffering a second round headbutt not spotted by the referee.

Parker was winning the round until he was dropped by an illegal blow to the head which presumably wasn't seen by English ref Ian John Lewis. Instead of a 10-9 points victory for the New Zealander in that round, the judges had to score it 10-8 in Whyte's favour.

Australian judge Phil Austin scored the fight 114-111, Frenchman Christophe Fernandez 115-110 and Englishman Steve Gray 113-112. Had the headbutt been spotted and scored accordingly, Gray would have given the fight to Parker, who dropped Whyte in the final round, and Austin would have scored it a draw, with Fernandez, who for some reason scored the first round to Whyte, giving it to the Englishman.

Higgins last week said they were looking at the possibility of appealing the result but have decided against it.

"We've taken stock and decided to take high ground," Higgins said.

"We're pleased we made some noise. Frankly it was a disgrace."

Parker said he has had an MRI following the fight and is waiting on the results.