Joseph Parker’s maiden fight in Australia was a routine exercise that was over in the first round as he was too strong for Faiga Opelu.
Parker returned to winning ways when beating Jack Massey earlier this year following his loss to Joe Joyce in 2022, and now the New Zealander has reminded people of the power he carries with an emphatic win.
Parker is eager to return to world level and this performance won’t hurt his chances, but he’ll be fully aware that there’ll be tougher tests to come.
With Tyson Fury in attendance to support him, Parker is constantly reminded of the platform he used to operate on, and he’ll be hoping to return there sooner rather than later.
Parker started the fight quickly and it was clear that he was intent on making a statement against the overmatched Samoan.
Following a number of attacks from Parker, a right hand hit the target of Opelu and that was enough to end the contest.
With Opelu on the floor, the referee called the bout off to give Parker his second win in the space of four months.
Full results from Australia
- Joseph Parker WTKO Faiga Opelu
- Max Reeves WTKO Jayde Mitchell
- Ben Horn WPTS Joel Taylor
- Nikita Tszyu WTKO Benjamin Bommber
- David Nyika WTKO Louis Marsters
- Isaias Sette WTKO Campbell Sommerville
- Luke Gersbeck WPTS Jack Moore
- Tom Bellchambers WKO Cameron Mooney