Photos: Joseph Parker Brutally Crushes Tupou in One

By Cliff Rold

Thrilling 23-year old Heavyweight Joseph Parker (15-0, 13 KO), 237, of South Auckland, New Zealand, took another step towards contention on Saturday at the Stadium Southland in Invercargill, New Zealand. It took Parker just a minute and change to find a one-punch finish of 32-year old Bowie Tupou (25-4, 17 KO), 265 ¾, of Redfern, New South Wales, Australia. It was the third first-round knockout of Parker’s career. All of Tupou’s career losses have come by knockout.

The referee was Brad Vocale.

Tupou started the fight as the aggressor, forcing Parker into a boxing posture at the bell. Parker has impressed to date in his career with his own pressure and showed composure Saturday boxing tall and countering. Engaging at center ring, a single right off the top of Tupou’s head sent the Australian into the mat face first, unconscious before he hit the deck. Vocale waved it off at 1:03 of the first round.

Recent reports have stated HBO may be interested in bringing Parker to their airwaves. Along with 25-year British prospect and 2012 Olympic super heavyweight gold medal winner Anthony Joshua (13-0, 13 KO), Parker represents a potentially exciting youth movement ahead in the heavyweight division.  

The card was webcast in the US on ESPN3, promoted by Duco Events. 

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene and a member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com