Thursday 21 July 2016 18:09, UK
Joseph Parker warmed up for his tilt at Anthony Joshua by knocking out Solomon Haumono inside four rounds.
Parker (20-0-KO17) is mandatory challenger for Joshua's IBF world heavyweight title and wasted little time in blasting aside Australia-based Haumono in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Former professional rugby league player Haumono (24-3-2-KO21) came out determined to upset the odds and enjoyed several moments of success early on - his ambitious overhand rights finding their target and causing some swelling around Parker's left eye by the second round.
The home favourite stayed calm and targeted the body of his visitor with some meaningful blows. Haumono responded with two more rights at the end of the end of the third but by that stage, the 40-year-old was already showing signs of tiredness.
'Solo' gamely pressed forward in the fourth but did so with his head down; inviting a huge uppercut from Parker that sent him crashing to the canvas. Although Haumono rose, he was counted out by the referee to the delight of the partisan crown.
Following the bout, Parker's trainer Kevin Barry revealed that an announcement on the next opponent will be made on Tuesday.
