Parker Out-Points Ruiz To Claim Vacant IBF Title

Joseph Parker was crowned WBO heavyweight champion in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday after surviving an early scare to edge out fellow challenger Andy Ruiz on points by the thinnest of margins.

Ruiz rocked Parker in the second round and looked like becoming the first Mexican-American to hold a version of the heavyweight title by taking the first five rounds. But for some reason Ruiz’s workrate dropped and Parker took full advantage by maintaining his workrate to take the next three or four rounds. The fight was close and Ruiz dug deep to take the last two rounds but according to two judges it was not enough as they awarded Parker the fight 115-113 while the third official made the fight even at 114-114. A draw seemed a fair result but it was Parker who claimed the vacant title and improves to 22-0-(18). Ruiz drops to 29-1-(19).

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December 10, 2016