24 Jan 2016

Parker overpowers Bergman

12:36 pm on 24 January 2016

New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker beat American Jason Bergman with an eighth-round TKO in Saturday night's bout in Samoa.

Joseph Parker knocks out Jason Bergman in the Rumble in Paradise boxing match, Apia, Samoa.

Joseph Parker knocks out Jason Bergman in the Rumble in Paradise boxing match, Apia, Samoa. Photo: PHOTOSPORT / Andrew Cornaga

The victory extends the 24-year-old's unbeaten record to 18 wins, zero losses and 16 knockouts.

The fight took longer to end than expected, with the durable Bergman taking a barrage of heavy head and body shots throughout the bout.

The American southpaw was knocked down in the second round as Parker came out of his corner with aggression.

Bergman looked like he was going to go down after a flurry of blows from Parker in the seventh and he took a knee as he fought for survival.

Another heavy body shot finally finished the 31-year-old American off in the eighth, with the referee stopping the fight.

"I'm glad I got the victory here in Samoa, the crowd was amazing," Parker said in the post-fight press conference.

"I knew I could've finished it off a bit earlier when I got him down and that but I just had to work on a few things."

Joseph Parker and Jason Bergman in Apia, Samoa.

Joseph Parker takes on American Jason Bergman in Apia, Samoa. Photo: PHOTOSPORT / Andrew Cornaga

Bergman says the result was a fair reflection of the fight and while he was dejected not to have taken the fight through the full rounds, he believes Parker still has plenty of work to do to become a complete fighter.

"He's a strong hitter, throws nice combinations. But I honestly believe he has a little bit development left with things," he said.

"I saw the openings, I just couldn't breathe. The humidity affected me more than I really thought it would."

Parker now takes a well earned break before his next bout in April in Christchurch against a yet to be confirmed opponent.

-RNZ