BOXXER Fighter Profiles: Joseph Parker

A former heavyweight champion of the world, New Zealand's Joseph Parker has one of the best resumes in the current heavyweight division, including a decisive win over American knockout artist Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia last December.

Introducing 'Lupesoliai La'auliolemalietoa' Joseph Parker...
 

Tale of the Tape

Name	Joseph Parker
Nickname	'Lupesoliai La'auliolemalietoa'
Nation	New Zealand
Place of Birth	South Auckland, New Zealand
Age	32
Weight Division	Heavyweight
Stance	Orthodox
Height	6ft 4in
Professional Fights	38
Professional Wins	35
Knockouts	23
Professional Losses	3

Professional Boxing Record

Joseph Parker has a professional boxing record of 35-3-0. Parker's most notable fights include:

• Zhilei Zhang (W - MD) - 8th March 2024, Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Won WBO Interim Heavyweight title)
• Deontay Wilder (W - UD) – 23rd December 2023, Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Retained WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title; Won vacant WBC International heavyweight title)
• Joe Joyce (L - KO) - 24th September 2022, AO Arena, Manchester. (For vacant WBO interim heavyweight title)
• Derek Chisora II (W - UD) - 18th December 2021, AO Arena, Manchester. (Retained WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title)
• Derek Chisora II (W - SD) - 1st May 2021, AO Arena, Manchester. (Won WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title)
• Anthony Joshua (L - UD) - 31st March 2018, Principality Stadium, Cardiff. (Lost WBO heavyweight title)
• Andy Ruiz Jr. (W - MD) - 10th December 2016, Vector Arena, Auckland. (Won vacant WBO heavyweight title)

Getting to know... Joseph Parker 

We sat down with Joseph Parker to talk all things boxing...

Who are your favourite fighters of all time?

My favourite fighters are from our side of the world - David Tua, Maselino Masoe and Shane Cameron. I looked up to them, and how they made it on the world stage. We have now become friends.

What is your favourite fight in your career so far?

My favourite fight was with Andy Ruiz. It was a close and tough fight but I was happy I got the win and became WBO champion of the world.

What Would you say is your best attribute in boxing?

Hand speed. 

Do you have any interesting pre-fight superstitions or rituals?

Pre-fight I play games with the team, go for a team walk, mostly staying relaxed and then doing a team prayer before walking to the ring. 

What is your ultimate goal in boxing?

To enjoy every day in camp, enjoy the process leading into a fight, make the most of fight week and fight day to do my best and keep winning - if I can do that it would be great to fight for a world title again. 

Joseph Parker in action against Derek Chisora during their WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title fight at the AO Arena, Manchester, 18th December, 2021.

Parker also gave us an exclusive insight into his interests outside of the ring...

Who are your favourite music artists? 

I like Poetik, Bkidd, Pieter T, Scribe and Six60.

Where is your favourite holiday destination?

I love travelling to a lot of places - Fiji, Hawaii and Dubai for example, but most of all I love going to Samoa every year. 

Who is your favourite sportsperson outside of boxing?

There's a few I like - Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand rugby international), Izzy Adesanya (MMA fighter) and also Dan Carter (former New Zealand rugby star). There are plenty more but I'll leave it at that! 
 

Joseph Parker next fight

Joseph Parker confirmed after defeating Zhilei Zhang that there is a rematch clause in their contract, with a date to be finalised.