Joseph Parker has become the first ever New Zealand-born heavyweight champion of the world after defeating Andy Ruiz in a very close points decision win.
Andy Ruiz was superb and was the better fighter in the first half of the bout, staying on the front foot and keeping Parker against the ropes.
It wasn't just in the footwork that Ruiz outfought Parker in the first four or five rounds with the Mexican consistently counter punching and attacking Parker's body.
His work under trainer Abel Sanchez shone through as he almost took the fight away from Parker, showing the nimbleness and pace that he wasn't known at all for.
However a frame that large would eventually tire and it did and Parker made his move, leading forward with his jab to open up Ruiz and use his strengths.
The final two rounds came and went without Parker landing a knock-out blow, condemning the pair to the mercy of the judges, who chose the Aucklander.
"What a dream come true," Parker said immediately after the fight.
One adjudicator judged the fight to be a tie while the other two had Parker on points at 115-113 in a decision that slightly upset Ruiz at the end.
Newshub.
