Joseph Parker recorded an eighth-round win against Jason Bergman in Samoa
Saturday 23 January 2016 13:21, UK
Emerging heavyweight contender Joseph Parker extended his perfect record to 18-0 by stopping Jason Bergman in the eighth round.
The New Zealand prospect was boxing in Apia, Samoa - the birthplace of his parents - for the first time and marked the occasion by dominating Bergman until recording the stoppage.
The 24-year-old was forced to be patient as he hunted an early knockout against his southpaw opponent from the United States, whose awkward style and toughness forced Parker into the eighth round for just the second time.
Bergman, who had won 16 of his last 18 fights, rose up from the canvas in the second round after Parker stung him with a left hook. Parker then seemingly had the fight won in the fifth but Bergman remained sturdy on his wobbly legs.
The American survived a seventh-round knockdown from a body shot but eventually the pressure would tell, and a thunderous right-left combination from Parker ended the contest.
His latest victory continues an impressive 10-month period in which he has racked up six knockout wins and entered the top 10 for the heavyweight rankings in the WBO, IBF and WBC.
