As boxing matches go, you don’t get many fights like Parker vs. Whyte. The encounter was far from one-sided, as despite being knocked down twice, Parker almost snatched a last-gasp win during an exciting finish in the 12th round.
Parker hits canvas for the first time
Parker had never hit the canvas in his career so to do it twice against Whyte was a surprise but he got back up both times and took the contest all the way. Dillian Whyte was fighting in front of his home crowd in London and it looked like that gave him the edge, as he was the more aggressive of the two boxers.
Parker had previously gone 12 rounds with Joshua without hitting the canvas but he fell victim to a couple of brutal punches from Whyte, leaving him floored and dazed. The former WBO champion, Parker looked like he was out of the match at this point but he rallied on despite a nasty looking clash of heads that left him hurt.
Parker came back in 11th
However, in the 11th it looked like a comeback was on as Parker took advantage of a tired out Whyte and managed a powerful shot that sent him to look for salvation on the ropes. In the final round, Parker looked to have pulled off a remarkable win as he hit Whyte with a right hand that took him to the ground but time was on Whyte’s side as he got up and made it to the final bell.
Whyte the unanimous winner
Whyte was announced as the unanimous winner 113-112 115-110 114-110. Despite Parker’s defeat, his promoter still believes that he can recapture the world heavyweight title. David Higgins said:
“He dug deep at the end. He was a gentleman and is good for this sport so I hope he fulfils his five-year goal and becomes champion again.
He wants to fight five more years and then retire in his early-30s. He has been a world champion and defended it two times so, of course, he can do it again.
[Wladimir] Klitschko lost three times before his long reign as champion. Joseph is only 26 and heavyweights reach their prime in their 30s.”
