Parker puts away Pettaway in Four

By Bryce Wilson: Undercard: Up and coming undefeated Polish heavyweight contender Izu Ugonoh completed a satisfactory second trip to New Zealand with a comprehensive knockout of Thomas Peato 1 minute 15 seconds into the second round. A vicious left hook to the body left Peato unable to continue as Ugonoh moves to 11-0 (9KO’s) with the win.

Despite placing a $1000 bet on himself at generous odds of 9-1 with the NZ TAB American challenger Jason Pettaway had looked nervous at the Wednesday lunchtime weigh-in, unused to the level of media coverage he has received in the lead up to this fight.

Both fighters were remarkably respectful to each other during the press conference but all pleasantries went out the window after the opening bell rung as Joseph Parker heeding the very public instructions of Coach Kevin Barry came out throwing leather with serious intentions in the first round.

Utilizing what is fast becoming his trademark hand speed Parker started the opening round landing a piston like jab and HARD rights hands to the body. Pettaway was selected as an opponent who would provide Parker with movement and that’s exactly what he did, however Parker started going to the body early looking to take Pettaway’s legs away from him.

After a dominating first two rounds Parker had Pettaway down late in the 3rd more from an accumulation of punches, pressure and power than any one shot. Beginning the fourth the American looked on the verge of exhaustion and Parker put him away with a flurry of hard left and right hands to end this fight in a crushing fashion and improves to 13-0 (11KO’s)