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Joseph Parker is a highly acclaimed professional boxer from New Zealand, recognized globally for his tenure as WBO Interim Heavyweight Champion in 2024 and previously as WBO Heavyweight Champion from 2016 to 2018. His career includes numerous regional titles across Oceania and Asia, establishing him as a prominent figure in the boxing world.
Joseph Parker partnered with Duco Boxing and Dazn for a multi-fight promotional deal, headlining events with fighters like David Nyika. Parker's involvement extends to co-promoting, moving from being a fighter with Duco Events to an active promoter.
Parker signed a three-fight promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing USA, which sees him fighting on DAZN. This partnership marked a new chapter in his career, expanding his reach in the US market.
Manuka Doctor sponsored Joseph Parker during his training camps, including his journey to become a two-time World Heavyweight Champion. Parker promoted their products through his social media channels.
These New Zealand sponsors banded together to support Joseph Parker's World Title fight endeavors, securing crucial sponsorship agreements to facilitate his boxing career. Hamilton-based global technology company also became an associate sponsor.
Joseph Dennis Parker, born on January 9, 1992, in South Auckland, New Zealand, is a professional boxer of Samoan descent. His early life in Māngere saw him drawn to boxing at a young age, joining the Papatoetoe Boxing Club at ten, where he honed his skills under Grant Arkell and Manny Santos. Parker’s amateur career spanned 66 fights, during which he became a two-time New Zealand amateur heavyweight champion in 2010 and 2011. He earned notable international recognition, winning silver at the 2010 Commonwealth Boxing Championships and bronze at the AIBA Youth World Championships in Azerbaijan in 2010. That same year, he secured a silver medal at the Youth Olympics in Singapore. In 2011, Parker captured gold at the Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia, and the China Open tournament in Guiyang, further establishing his potential.
Parker transitioned to professional boxing in July 2012, signing with Duco Events in Auckland. His professional debut marked the beginning of an undefeated streak, quickly accumulating victories against opponents like Dean Garmonsway and veteran Francois Botha, whom he defeated by knockout in 2013. He continued his ascent by winning the New Zealand National Boxing Federation title against Afa Tatupu and the Pan Asian Boxing Association interim heavyweight title against Marcelo Nascimento in 2014. Parker’s consistent performance led him to win the WBO Oriental heavyweight title from Brian Minto, as well as multiple other regional titles, including the WBA Oceania, WBC-OPBF, and WBO Africa heavyweight titles, demonstrating a steady progression through the ranks.
His career reached a significant milestone in December 2016 when he defeated Andy Ruiz Jr. for the vacant WBO Heavyweight title, becoming the first heavyweight boxer from New Zealand or the Pacific Islands to achieve a major world championship. Parker successfully defended his WBO title against Răzvan Cojanu and Hughie Fury before losing it to Anthony Joshua in a unification bout in March 2018. Post-title, Parker has continued to face top-tier competition, engaging in high-profile fights against Dillian Whyte, Alexander Flores, Alex Leapai, Shawndell Winters, Junior Fa, and Derek Chisora (twice). He signed a three-fight promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing USA in 2019, further solidifying his presence in the international boxing scene. In 2023, he notably defeated Deontay Wilder via unanimous decision and in 2024, he won the WBO interim heavyweight title against Zhilei Zhang, maintaining his status at the elite level of the sport.
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