Joseph Parker Turns Professional

One of our finest amateur boxers for many years, 20 year old Joseph Parker is about to turn professional under the guidance of Sir Robert Jones.

He is set to make his pro debut on the undercard of the Shane Cameron–Monte Barrett match at Sky City on July 5^th promoted by David Higgins and Dean Lonergan of Duco Events. The show is the “KFC Presents the Godfather of All Fight Nights”.

Certainly our best amateur prospect since David Tua, Joseph has had considerable experience as an amateur, and has travelled world wide to gain further experience. When you think the old fighters from the 1930’s 1940’s and 1950’s did not get the chance to travel the world like today’s fighters, and a trip to Australia in those years was a huge thing.

In the last couple of years Joseph has fought in Australia, India, Azerbaijaan, Serbia, and did a speaking engagement in Durban, South Africa. Plus he has done trips to Samoa to visit relatives which would make him a pretty well traveled 20 year old. These are only some of the countries Joseph has visited and some of them he has visited on more than one occasion.

Joseph didn’t make the New Zealand team for the London Olympics in Canberra last month when he lost to another young Auckland prospect Junior Fa, representing Samoa. Junior Fa went on to lose to Johan Linde.

Joseph recently went to an international tournament in Serbia and beat a top German amateur Erick Pfeifer, who won a bronze at the World Championships. Next up he beat Johan Linde, Australia’s Olympic boxer for London.

Although he won’t make it to London, Joseph has already proved he has the goods to mix it with the best in the World. If he is brought along slowly and nor rushed into big matches, Joseph could be a powerhouse in world boxing for many years. The Klitschko boys from Ukraine are getting on and won’t be around forever.

Joseph comes from a great loving family and they take a great interest in him. Younger brother John is also a talented amateur, and should go on to higher honors.