Welcome along team to the live blog of the boxing between Joseph Parker v Keith Thompson and Robert Berridge against Vasily Lepikhin from the US of A. I, Daniel Richardson, will be your host for the next couple of hours bringing you all the action plus my usual mix of questionable chat and middling banter. I am tipping Parker and Berridge both to win by KO but, then again, I am hardly known as a tipping oracle. Would love to know your thoughts on the fights so fire me a comment if you are watching them at home. If not, why haven't you booked the PPV? Let me know.
Parker will be up shortly - as per my understanding of the programme - against the Alabama firefighter Thompson, who has only had nine pro fights with a mediocre 7-2 record. Parker is of course 9-0 with 8 KO's. The NZ Herald's man in Philadelphia at the fights is Patrick McKendry and he has just emailed me tipping a 2nd or 3rd round KO win for Joseph, who is looking to make a statement in front of the US market
Very true, Lyn, Berridge's Russian opponent Lepikhin is 6 foot 4, while Berridge is only 5 foot 10; but The Butcher loves to get inside and trade so I think he will be able to cut that reach advantage down with his come-forward style
Sure is sorry, Glen, the fights are in USA. Apologies for the mistake there
Right, here we go... 6 rounds of heavyweight action.....
Thompson is 33, Parker of course is 22.. TV Graphics had him at 6 foot 2 but he's 6 foot 4, if you are trainspotting
Instructions being given, here we go
Parker with some early jabs
Thompson wanting to establish his own but can't really. Parker holding him at bay early. Busy with his jab, which he needs to be
Parker in purple and gold trunks, black boots. Thompson in silver trunks
Parker moving well... Jab looks snappy
Couple of vicious body shots from Parker. That will help him pick up points... Clearly on top on this round
Thompson not offering much here... Nose bleeding already..
Parker well on top here, first round nearly over
Clearly Parker's round 10-9
Parker looking sharp, jab is snappy. Nice hand speed for a young, big heavyweight...
From Pat McK in Philadelphia: "JP way to strong and fast. Thompson's forehead red from constant left jabs down middle."
Parker moves smoothly for a big man too, nice balance. good footwork.
this fight is scheduled for six rounds, was meant to be 8 but Parker's travel delays due to visa issues put it to six
Parker again working Thompson over here.
Thompson pushed up against the ropes. Parker well on top here
28-10 punch stats in Parker's favour
Parker very active in this fight, which I like
Round 2 closed now. Parker 10-9, he is up 20-18 on my unofficial scorecard
Barry telling Parker in the corner that Thompson is very slow.
Parker has been known for being over-eager to finish guys of this level so it would be nice to see him keep his composure in the fight and not get too frisky
Parker comes out fizzing in the third round. Few early shots that land
Thompson very slow man in the ring, laboured, looks to be able to take a shot or two though
Barry wants Parker to work off the double jab as they set up his combos best. They've just interviewed Kevin ringside mid-third round. Impressive access
got him clean on the chin and Thompson went down
Parker looking to finish this here
Thompson down again and that is it
all she wrote, Parker by TKO in the third, thanks for coming, he says
Ever-improving power from Parker again. Lands some heavy shots there
Parker is now a perfect 10-0
Welcome along team to the live blog of the boxing between Joseph Parker v Keith Thompson and Robert Berridge against Vasily Lepikhin from the US of A. I, Daniel Richardson, will be your host for the next couple of hours bringing you all the action plus my usual mix of questionable chat and middling banter. I am tipping Parker and Berridge both to win by KO but, then again, I am hardly known as a tipping oracle. Would love to know your thoughts on the fights so fire me a comment if you are watching them at home. If not, why haven't you booked the PPV? Let me know.
