By Jake Donovan

Joseph Parker continued his impressive run as a rising heavyweight to watch, needing less than two minutes of ring action to dispose of Daniel Martz in their regional title fight Saturday evening in Hamilton, New Zealand.

The bout was supposed to represent a step up for Parker, a promising heavyweight prospect who continues to tear through his competition at an alarming rate. In Martz came the tallest opponent that the Las-Vegas based New Zealander has faced to date, though not at all testing his skill level. 

An early night was sense in the opening 30 seconds of the bout, when Parker was able to drive his foe backward with the first good stiff jab and right hand to find its mark. The bout only lasted as long as it did due to Martz giving his best effort to play keep away. The journeyman heavyweight from West Virginia circled the ring in looking to make it an outside fight -  a sensible game plan given his height and reach advantages.

The problem was that Martz was sorely lacking in the necessary skills to implement such a game plan. Parker showed poise and patience, effectively cutting down the ring and getting within his desired punching range. 

Once inside, the unbeaten local favorite was able to make for a quick yet entertaining evening. Martz was hurt by a series of one-two combinations, with a right hand to the temple eventually forcing him to pitch forward face-first to the deck. 

Referee Marlon B. Wright issued the mandatory eight count and gave the American every chance to sell it like he wanted to continue. Martz (14-3-1, 11KOs) paused just long enough to force the third man to halt the contest, offering a half-hearted look of disappointment as if to question the stoppage but his acting proving no better than his boxing performance.

The official time was 1:57 of round one.

Parker rolls to 17-0 (15KO), having now scored six consecutive knockout wins, including five in 2015. Next up for the unbeaten heavyweight is a January 23 clash with Andrew Bergman, a southpaw who - like Martz - hails from the Rust Belt (specifically, Western Pennsylvania) and is managed by Pat Nelson. The bout is due to take place in Apia, Samoa, coming just two weeks after Parker's 24th birthday. 

It could also prove to be the start of a title run for one of the sport's more promising young heavyweights who continues to prove under the watch of noted trainer Kevin Barry. 

"I'm happy with the result; I think I'm ready (for more)," Parker said after the fight and of his future. 

Also on the show, Jeff Horn remained unbeaten with a 10-round decision win over France's Ahmed El Mousaoui. Scores were 97-93, 98-92 and 99-92 in favor of Horn (13-0-1, 8KOs), a promising welterweight prospect from Brisbane, Australia. El Mousaoui (22-2-1, 5KOs) snaps a 13-fight unbeaten streak dating back to 2011, having entered on the heels of a split decision nod over former super lightweight champ Junior Witter in April. 

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox