WBO World Heavyweight Title - Joseph Parker vs Andy Ruiz

About

Saturday 10 December saw Joseph Parker make history, as he became the first New Zealand born World Heavyweight Champion!

Joseph Parker proved as good as his word as he became the first New Zealand-born heavyweight world boxing champion.

An impressive Parker battled hard over the back end of the fight to beat Mexico's Andy Ruiz Jr in Auckland to win the vacant WBO belt by majority points decision.

The judges scored the 12-round bout 114-114, 115-113, 115-113 – a reflection of how close it was.

A world class undercard also featured WBO #2 Jeff Horn vs Ali Funeka – with Horn taking the victory in front of Pacquio’s promoter Bob Arum.

Three-time world champion Shannon O’Connell faced Argentina’s top-ranked female Laura Griffa, adding the WBO Asia Pacific Super Bantamweight title to her silverware whilst the tough Ghanaian Isaac Dogboe pushed Julian Aristule to the limit to claim the WBO Latin and International Super Bantamweight Title.

THE CARD

• Joseph Parker (NZ) [w] v Andy “The Destroyer” Ruiz (MEX)
  Heavyweight | 12 x 3 minute rounds
  WBO World Heavyweight Title
  
  
• Jeff Horn (AUS) [w] v Ali Funeka (SA)
  Welterweight | 10 x 3 minute rounds
  WBO Intercontinental Welterweight Title
  
  
• Isaac Dogboe (GHA) [w] v Julian Aristule (ARG)
  Super Bantamweight | 10 x 3 minute rounds
  WBO Latin and International Super Bantamweight Title
  
  
• Shannon O'Connell (AUS) [w] v Laura Griffa (ARG)
  Super Bantamweight |8 x 2 minute rounds
  WBO Asia Pacific Super Bantamweight Title
  
  
• Junior Fa (NZ) [w] v Pablo Magrini (ARG)
  Heavyweight | 8 x 3 minute rounds
  
  
• John Parker (AKL, NZ) [w] v Ash McConville (CHC, NZ)
  Catchweight (94kg)| 4 x 3 minute rounds
  
  
• Brown Buttabean (AKL, NZ) [w] v Che Barlow (WAN, NZ)
  Heavyweight | 4 x 3 minute rounds