Heavyweight boxing

Joseph Parker defeats Junior Fa after going the full 12 rounds

The bout went the full 12 rounds, with Parker finishing ahead on all three judges scorecards - 119-109, 115-113, 117-111 - to collect a unanimous points decision.

The former WBO world champion went into the fight ranked third with that organisation, while Fa was ranked fifth.

The fight was the first between the two South Aucklanders in the professional ranks. They fought four times in amateur boxing, winning two fights each.

Earlier, David Nyika started his professional career with a bizzare first round knockout win over Auckland's Jesse Maio.

Parker vs. Joshua a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’

Higgins admits all of Joseph Parker’s next fights from here on are going to be more difficult than any of the fights he’s been in.

“We can’t have a time frame for unifying all belts. I mean that is the goal but we intend to do it within Parker’s career,” he said.

“The closest would be in four years, hopefully, without him sustaining any injuries,” he added.

Higgins spoke to Loop Samoa during the historic Champions Walk at Eleele Fou Parade held by the government of Samoa today, to formally introduce the heavyweight WBO belt to the country.

Joseph Parker on Anthony Joshua's radar again

Klitschko says he will only take the December 10 fight in Manchester if the WBA belt is on the line too.

The WBA and WBO belts have been freed up by Tyson Fury who handed them over to concentrate on his battles with depression and drug use.

Joshua's manager Eddie Hearn said the next 48 hours would be vital as they seek a ruling from the WBA. In the meantime he confirmed he is looking at other options.

Hearn's easiest backup route is to call out Parker who is the mandatory challenger with the IBF.

Joseph Parker tougher than Klitschko

Parker has the mandatory rights to fight Joshua, possibly as early as November 26 in Manchester, though the Brit's clever promoter Eddie Hearns is swaying towards a more lucrative bout with former champion Wladimir Klitschko.

That has left Parker's handlers looking at a cheeky bid to get a WBO title fight against Mexican Andy Ruiz in New Zealand.

That mightn't be a bad thing for Joshua, according to two former British stars, Spencer Oliver and Darren Barker, who front a boxing show for Sky Sports in the UK.