12 Dec 2016

Duco Events slams criticism of judges and Joseph Parker

From Morning Report, 7:24 am on 12 December 2016
New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker holds up the WBO belt alongside his team.

New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker holds up the WBO belt alongside his team. Photo: Photosport

Joseph Parker's victory over Andy Ruiz in Auckland has polarised the boxing community, with some esteemed voices claiming the 27-year-old Mexican was robbed.

Parker has become the first New Zealand-born heavyweight champion, taking the World Boxing Organisation championship - one of four official heavyweight garlands - in a split points decision, 115-113, 115-113 and 114-114.

That's sparked calls from Ruiz for a rematch.

It's also sparked some criticism that Parker's performance wasn't deserving of the win, criticism Parker isn't ready to accept.

Parker's promoter Duco Events is standing by its man, and won't be offering a rematch, in the foreseable future.