At the Spark Arena, in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, Matchroom Boxing – Eddie Hearn, Duco Events, Ltd – David Higgins and DiBella Entertainment – Lou DiBella, over DAZN presented in the Main Event former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker defeating Junior Fa over 12 foul filled rounds. The highly anticipated fight before a large crowd was a big disappointment in action.

In the Main Event the WBO No. 3 ranked Joseph Parker, 28-2 (21), #240, of NZ and Las Vegas, NV, easily defeated No. 5 ranked Junior Fa, 19-1 (10), #260 1/4, of Otahuhu, NZ, for the vacant WBO Oriental heavyweight title over 12 rounds.

In the first round it was all Parker until taking a hard right just prior to the bell from Fa. From the second through the eighth round Fa would jab and grab with Parker taking every round. The referee John Conway never warned or took away a point from Fa for holding.

In the ninth round a right from Parker barely missed while his elbow landed on the outside of Fa’s left eyebrow causing a small cut. In the tenth round through the twelfth round Fa would get Parker into a head lock. It was like this through the entire dull fight.

Scores were 119-109, 115-113 and 117-111. This writer had it 120-108.

Cruiserweight Nik “The Greek” Charalampous, 19-3-1 (9), #198 ¾, of Auckland, NZ, in a disputed draw with Panueve “Wild Boy” Helu, 12-1-2 (11), #197, of Tonga and Auckland, NZ, over 6 rounds.

In the first round with 40 seconds left Helu landed a right on the side of the head of Charalampous having him holding to the bell. In the third round a right from Helu rocked Charalampous. In the fifth round a pair of low blows from Charalampous cost him a point. In the sixth and final round Referee Kevin Pyne kept warning Charalampous throughout the bout only taking one point. He should have DQ’d him.

Scores were 58-56, 56-58 and 57-57. This writer had it 60-53 Helu. The judge who voted for Charalampous and the referee should be barred.

Heavyweight Hemi “The Heat” Ahio, 17-0 (12), #230 ½, of Auckland, NZ, knocked out Julius “Towering Inferno” Long, 18-25-1 (14), #326 ¾, of US and Auckland, NZ, at 2:55 of the seventh round of a scheduled 8.  

In the fourth round a right from Long knocked down Ahio who got up immediately. He had taken the first three rounds. In fifth and sixth rounds Ahio beat up on Long. In the seventh round Ahio landed punch after punch until Long fell on his back and out. The same ref from previous fight Kevin Pyne stood there while the towel was thrown in.  

Cruiserweight Jerome “The Panther” Pampellone, 3-0 (2), #180, of UK and Auckland, NZ, knocked out Antz Amouta, 0-1 (0), #190 ¼, of Tokoroa, NZ, at 2:59 of the first round of a scheduled 4.

In the first round of a mismatch Pampellone had his way up until the final seconds landing six unanswered punches starting with a left to the mid-section ending with a right on the head and down he went.