Bizarre finish sees Joseph Parker defeat Alexander Dimitrenko

Joseph Parker vs Hughie Fury undercard

JOSEPH PARKER kept himself in pole position to challenge IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, beating Alexander Dimitrenko in three rounds, even though he ended it was a bizarre stoppage.

Parker attacked the six foot seven Russianโ€™s body and bundled him off his feet in the first round for a knockdown. The New Zealander easily knocked Dimitrenko down in the second round. Joseph was far smaller but got to gripsย with his opponent swiftly, bypassing the Russianโ€™s jab easily enough although he did allow a few countering rights through. None of it troubled Parker and he was strong enough to manhandle Dimitrenko.

The curious ending came in the third round. In a clinch Parker clubbed a right to Dimitrenkoโ€™s body. The Russian slumped to a knee. Parker cuffed his right into Alexanderโ€™s side again. Dimitrenko twisted down to the canvas, writhing there as the referee, Marlon Wright counted him out at 1-38 of the third.

Parker remains Anthony Joshua’s mandatory challenger and could fight the Briton on November 26 at the Manchester Arena. That however remains unconfirmed as Joshua’s team explore the option of boxing former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko on that same date.

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