Anthony Joshua beats Joseph Parker in world heavyweight title showdown

Summary

Anthony Joshua beats Joseph Parker on points
Joshua adds WBO crown to WBA & IBF belts
David Price knocked out by Alexander Povetkin
Ryan Burnett defeats Yonfrez Parejo; Anthony Crolla beats Edson Ramire
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Live Reporting

Michael Emons

Postpublished at 23:02 British Summer Time 31 March 2018
Anthony Joshua v Joseph Parker
Mike Costello
BBC Sport boxing correspondent at the Principality Stadium
The first real sign that Joshua carries an edge in power, a left hook the best we have seen so far. All of it comes off him using the left hand well.
Postpublished at 23:01 British Summer Time 31 March 2018
Round 3
Joshua, for the first time, goes really on the offensive. Parker holds and quickly gets himself out of there, a sign of Joshua feeling that he is happy with his work so far.
Image source, Reuters
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Ed Bingham: Joshua looks much more used to big night boxing but got to give the first round to Parker.
Paul Mulligan: Pretty even opening two rounds of #JoshuaParker, external. Parker will be happy with the early pace - fitting his tactics nicely.
'Little significant scoring'published at 23:00 British Summer Time 31 March 2018
Anthony Joshua v Joseph Parker
Mike Costello
BBC Sport boxing correspondent at the Principality Stadium
Joshua having to deal with the speed if not the power.
A very assured start form Parker in defence and attack, though there's little significant scoring from either.
Image source, Reuters
Postpublished at 23:00 British Summer Time 31 March 2018
Round 3
Into round three we go. Parker struggling to land in the opening seven minutes of this one. Parker forced back on to the ropes into another evasive manoeuvre.
Image source, Getty Images
Postpublished at 22:59 British Summer Time 31 March 2018
Only four of Anthony Joshua's previous 20 opponents have lasted more than three rounds.
Those hardy souls are Dillian Whyte (finished in the seventh round), Dominic Breazeale (pictured, seventh round), Carlos Takam (10th round) and Wladimir Klitschko (11th round). Can Parker join that illustrious list?
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Postpublished at 22:58 British Summer Time 31 March 2018
Anthony Joshua v Joseph Parker
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Postpublished at 22:58 British Summer Time 31 March 2018
Round 2
Anthony Joshua is doing a good job of keeping his man at bay. And then throws a powerful one. It is unsuccessful, but round two is very much a frustrating one for the New Zealander. He can't get close. Joshua's round. He boxed beautifully in that round.
Image source, PA
Postpublished at 22:56 British Summer Time 31 March 2018
Round 2:
Anthony Joshua is in the middle of the ring, looking to take up the dominant position. Parker, who does not have the reach advantage, has to dive in for a couple but he misses. A bit of blood from Parker's nose.
Postpublished at 22:55 British Summer Time 31 March 2018
Anthony Joshua v Joseph Parker
Mike Costello
BBC Sport boxing correspondent at the Principality Stadium
As his camp suggested all the way through, Parker is concentrating on speed and movement.
Joshua will have to be busier and make better use of his jab to close down space between them.
Two men clearly with a lot of respect for one another.
Postpublished at 22:55 British Summer Time 31 March 2018
Round 1
A left hook from Joshua is partially blocked, he then varies it up by throwing a right to the body. Another left hook from the Englishman but luckily for Parker he sees it coming, dances back on his heels and, rather wisely, gets out of the way of it.
"Keep him working and make him miss with the punches" says Joshua's trainer Rob McCracken.
A close first round.
Image source, Reuters
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Get Involvedpublished at 22:54 British Summer Time 31 March 2018
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Emma Faulkner: Following live text for a sporting event is always a bit stressful, goodness knows how I'm going to manage to keep it calm for this fight.
Postpublished at 22:53 British Summer Time 31 March 2018
Round 1
Parker with the left arm hanging low waiting to pounce with the jab, has to go into evasive mode as Joshua aims one into the New Zealander's ribs.
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Postpublished at 22:51 British Summer Time 31 March 2018
Round 1
Joseph Parker aims to land some damage into the Joshua midriff, he looks quick on his feet, but remember Joshua is much lighter than he was against Carlos Takam last time out.
Postpublished at 22:50 British Summer Time 31 March 2018
And there is the first bell.
Postpublished at 22:50 British Summer Time 31 March 2018
No matter how calm you are, this must be intimidating for Joseph Parker. Oh Anthony Joshua, yet again, is heard from all corners of the stadium.
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Postpublished at 22:50 British Summer Time 31 March 2018
Here we go. Hold on to your hats.
Let's get ready.....published at 22:49 British Summer Time 31 March 2018
"Let's get ready to rumblllllllllllllllllllllleeeeeeeeeeee," screams the silver-tongued Michael Buffer.
We've all seen it before, but it is still great. The crowd, as they always do, lap it up.
Postpublished at 22:48 British Summer Time 31 March 2018
Anthony Joshua is a hero in England, but Joseph Parker is likewise in Samoa and New Zealand.
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Postpublished at 22:46 British Summer Time 31 March 2018
National anthems time. Both men look like they are loving every moment of this. Neither looks rattled, neither looks overawed. Obviously Joshua is used to this as this is his third huge stadium fight in a row.
Both men look ready, and both men truly believe they are going to win. All the signs of it being a great, great fight.
"It is undefeated champion versus undefeated champion," Michael Buffer kindly reminds us.
Image source, Reuters