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Joseph Parker defeats Razvan Cojanu in underwhelming first defense

Cojanu was ranked #14 by the WBO

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Joseph Parker v Razvan Cojanu Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Classic Fury shenanigans left Joseph Parker scrambling for a replacement opponent for the first defense of his WBO heavyweight title. Sparring partner Razvan Cojanu stepped up, giving Parker what looked like the perfect target for the sort of brutal knockout the Kiwi slugger used to be known for.

Best laid plans, etc.

The folks over at the Telegraph did a live blog of the fight, which appeared to consist largely of Parker (23-0, 18 KO) trying and failing to deliver a quality finish while Cojanu (16-3, 9 KO) smiled, talked, offered decent defense, and landed the occasional punch. Parker came away with the decision, but found himself with a massive target on his back.

Someone like Whyte (WBO #8) or Jarrell Miller (WBO #3) would actually be a fairly good opponent for Parker, dangerous but limited enough to make it interesting. This fight seemed to confirm the notion that Parker simply isn’t ready for the likes of Anthony Joshua or even Deontay Wilder.

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