Joseph Parker defeats Junior Fa via controversial unanimous judges decision as star targets return to title picture
JOSEPH PARKER earned a farcical wide points win over Junior Fa to set up a summer showdown with Derek Chisora.
The Kiwi heavyweight went the distance with his compatriot in a nip-and-tuck fight that could have gone either way.
Even Parker’s experienced trainer Kevin Barry said, in the long wait between the final bell and scores, confirmed it was a ‘close fight’.
But the three ringside judges somehow saw it as a landslide for the former WBO world champ.
The officials scored the bout 109-119, 113-115 and 111-117, all in the Samoan hero’s favour.
Parker, 29, looked dejected waiting for the totals and could hide his embarrassment at the wide cards.
He said: “It was a great night.
“They came here to fight and it was a lot closer than expected.
“Fa put on a great performance and we have to go back and work on a lot of things.
“It just showed the ring rust you can end up with after a year out.”
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Now Parker, who has only lost to Brits Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, wants to return to the UK for an overdue showdown with Delboy.
Their original 2019 battle was cancelled after Parker suffered a nasty reaction to a spider bite – but now he wants to get the show back on.
He said: “There is a path and it’s quite exciting that there’s a path, because a lot of fighters want to know what they’re going to do after their next fight.
“I love the UK. I love the media, the respect, so welcoming to our team. We’ve gained a lot of friends and supporters there.
“In a perfect world, I’d love to take care of business on Saturday then come to the UK and take care of business, then not far off that, fight for the world title.”
