Joseph Parker vs. Faiga Opelu | PPV - May 24, 2023

[Ruthless-RKO]

David Nyika def. Louis Marsters by TKO (R4)
Ben Horn def. Joel Taylor by unanimous decision win (57-56, 57-56, 58-55)

[Ruthless-RKO]

Tom Bellchambers def. Cameron Mooney by KO (R3)
Nikita Tszyu def. Ben Bommber by KO (R1)

[Ruthless-RKO]

Round 1: It’s over! Parker knocks out “Django”.

Well, we haven’t really got our money’s worth tonight. Another fight, another round-one stoppage.

Joseph Parker has made very short work of Faiga Opelu. The assault started with a left uppercut and then a right cross, the twin blows stunning the underdog. There was no way back from this; the Kiwi champion pressed home his advantage and the referee stopped it midway through the first round.

What a statement!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Some words from the victor ...

“I wanted to make a statement,” Parker said.

“I haven’t had the best performances of late, but that’s a statement. I want to get onto the next one as soon as I can, I want to keep busy to get momentum and get back to the top as fast as I can.

“Anyone who is keen, anywhere, I don’t care who it is. I want to fight.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Tyson Fury gives his thoughts on the performance

“I think it was a great performance, it just shows how hard Joseph is working in the gym.

“I’ve always been saying this, there are a lot of levels in boxing, he’s a world heavyweight champion former, and he’s going to get back up there again in my opinion.”

Asked who he would like to see Parker fight next, Fury said: “I’d like to see him fight a rematch with Andy Ruiz or Joe Joyce. Maybe Dillian Whyte or AJ [Anthony Joshua]. F— them all!

[Redback Rasta]

Fun night at the pub but I'm glad we didn't pay $60 for it.

Anticipated Horn could make it difficult for Taylor but didn't think for a minute he would beat him. Horn's drunken boxer routine and iron chin was just too much for Taylor and Horn a deserved winner.

When the first right hand Bommber threw landed flush and got Tszyu's attention I thought we had a fight on our hands. But not to be.

Parker came out looking the most positive he has in a long time and his opponent Opelu's very poor Pernel Whittaker imitation ensured that he didn't last long. Lee may yet get some of the old, aggressive Parker out of him going forward.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[pound per pound]

Opelu look like a horse race jockey next to Paker, Fury was there to see this scam. Can you say Fury vs. Parker?

I can. I hope Fury is stripped of all belts for ducking Usyk, and Zhang.

https://i0.wp.com/fightnews.com/wp-cont ... =600&ssl=1

[oogiebe]

Big deal. He KO'd a neverwas blown up undersized cruiser.

[lookingaround87]

Big deal. He KO'd a neverwas blown up undersized cruiser.

And he didn't even KO him. Awful stoppage. At least give an 8 count.

[oogiebe]

Big deal. He KO'd a neverwas blown up undersized cruiser.

And he didn't even KO him. Awful stoppage. At least give an 8 count.

True!

[Redback Rasta]

Big deal. He KO'd a neverwas blown up undersized cruiser.

And he didn't even KO him. Awful stoppage. At least give an 8 count.

Agree. Why have an 8 count if you are not going to apply it?

Could probably level the same criticism of the Tszyu stoppage of Bommber.

[Redback Rasta]

Is Madman Higgins still with him?

I think boxing needs Higgins back in the spotlight. He sure had Eddie Hearn puzzled when he was negotiating with him for Joshua-Parker.

[Grant]

Awful night of mostly mismatches. Tim Tszyu's card coming up is chock full of good match ups. Best Australian Card for a long time in my opinion.

[Redback Rasta]

Not trying to defend the card, because if I had paid $60 for the PPV or worse still $100s to attend, I would have been extremely disappointed.

But I was keen to get to the pub to watch it - for free - because I thought Bommber would provide a decent test for Nikita and Taylor-Horn might be interesting, though I didn't think Horn could win.

As it turned out, Taylor-Horn was the only decent contest.

(I got to the pub too late to see Somerville-Sette and that looks like it was a torrid and bloody affair)