Brixton heavyweight Whyte wins points verdict over Joseph Parker

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Dillian Whyte stepped up his hopes of a world title fight as he won a unanimous points verdict over Joseph Parker at Greenwich’s 02 Arena.

The Brixton heavyweight seemed to have a scrappy contest in his hands going into the latter stages of the contest.

A second round knockdown of former WBO champion Parker seemed hugely generous – replays showing a clash of heads – but there was nothing wrong with the huge left hook which spelled another trip to the canvas in the ninth.

Whyte was in serious trouble in the 12th and final round as he was also knocked down. He was up by the count of eight and managed to survive the fraught final exchanges to emerge a points winner by 113-112, 115-110 and 114-111.