Joseph Parker scored his second stoppage in as many fights as he continues to build back to the top of the heavyweight ranks.
Canada’s Simon Kean entered the ring with 22 knockouts from 23 wins, but this fight against the former WBO Heavyweight World champion was a marked step-up in competition.
Parker continues to look to build momentum since a damaging loss to Joe Joyce back in 2022. He has a decision win over Jack Massey and a TKO of Faiga Opelu since then.
Trained by Andy Lee and with the benefit of hours upon hours of training with Tyson Fury, Parker is focused on becoming a two-time world champion. At 31-years-old and as some of the current crop move towards retirement, he has the time.
Overcoming Kean was a must, though, and he started quickly in an attempt to establish control. It was nice work, built off a stiff jab followed by work to the body. The Canadian fired back intermittently, loading up on power but not quite pulling it off.
Parker wobbled Kean with an uppercut in the third. The Canadian stayed on his feet, but it was to his detriment. The New Zealander swarmed him, finding a home for most shots. It was a second uppercut that ended the show, putting the underdog on the seat of his shorts. He made it to a knee, but was counted out.
JOSEPH PARKER WITH A 3RD ROUND KO!! 💥 🇦🇺#BattleOfTheBaddest | #FuryNgannou | LIVE NOW on TNT Sports Box Office ▶️ https://t.co/FXWiFF9GtRpic.twitter.com/j8dQcBiij9
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) October 28, 2023
It was the finish and the stage that Parker needed, and he looked impressive and controlled under Lee’s tutelage. An excellent jab that will be a defining factor against most heavyweights should he utilise it throughout.
There are plenty of exciting match-ups out there for Parker, whose story at heavyweight is certainly not over. His world-champion trainer praised the performance, and Parker ended by saying he could knock any heavyweight out.