Event of the Day: Anthony Joshua versus Joseph Parker
Our event of the day sees the boxing heavyweight unification match between Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Joshua is the defending IBF, WBA (Super) and IBO heavyweight champion, while Parker puts the WBO title on line. The fight is billed as ‘Road to Undisputed’, as the winner will unify these four heavyweight titles and come within touching distance of becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the world since the legendary Lennox Lewis in 2000. If Joshua, with the perfect record of 20-0 (20 by KOs), wins the contest he will also become only the fourth boxer in history to gather three of the four major title belts rather than being handed them in a single fight.
The remaining major belt holder, is the WBC champion, American Deontay Wilder, who will expect to take on the winner of tonight’s fight in the near future. Parker, who has Samoan roots, is also undefeated with a 24-0 record (18 KOs) and is the first heavyweight boxer from New Zealand to have won a major world championship. However, he is considered to be an underdog in this match. Olympic champion Joshua is two inches taller measuring 6ft 6inches in height and weighs 17stone 4lbs 2oz (Parker weighs 16stone 12lbs 7oz), and has a six-inch reach advantage. The Brit will also have huge support from the home crowd, while Parker (26) can rely on his speed of hand and foot, and the fact that he’s two years younger than Joshua at 28. The undercard has a match between Alexander Povetkin and David Price. The Russian is a massive favourite to win and become another challenger to the winner of the main fight. It’s going to be a spectacular evening of boxing at the Principality Stadium.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to Day 2 of the 2nd Test between New Zealand and England at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. On the first day, New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl, and England finished on 290 for 8 after 90 overs, with Jonny Bairstow catching the eye with 97 runs, not out. In the European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final, Munster face Toulon at Thomond Park in Limerick. The first qualified semi-finalist are the Scarlets who beat La Rochelle 29-17 yesterday. It’s Day 11 of the ATP World Tour and Day 12 of the WTA World Tour Miami Open at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne, Florida. In the NBA, the Boston Celtics meet the Toronto Raptors at the TD Garden in Boston. It’s the second day of the 4th and final match of the Test series between South Africa and Australia at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. In the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich take on Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena in Munich. In the Premier League, Everton host Manchester City at Goodison Park in Liverpool. In the NHL, the Toronto Maple Leafs face off with the Winnipeg Jets in an all-Canadian duel at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto; while the Vegas Golden Knights matchup with the San Jose Sharks at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. In the MLB, the Miami Marlins play against the Chicago Cubs at Marlins Park in Miami.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Fixture
Photos by Joe Parker; Stadium Principality