In front of a roaring crowd of 78,000 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, Anthony Joshua showcased a different side of his arsenal as he secured a dominant points victory over New Zealand’s Joseph Parker on March 31, 2018. The fight, billed as the Road to Undisputed, saw the British powerhouse unify the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles for the first time in his career — and, crucially, for the first time, without delivering a knockout.

The scorecards told a clear story — 118-110, 118-110, and 119-109 — all favouring Joshua. But the bout itself was one of strategy over savagery, with both fighters entering the ring lighter than usual, clearly prioritizing speed and endurance over brute force.

Joshua controlled the rhythm early on, establishing a firm jab and keeping Parker at bay with measured footwork and sharp counters. Parker, to his credit, proved elusive, slipping punches and attempting to frustrate the taller man with lateral movement and well-timed flurries. However, while Parker was busier — throwing nearly 500 punches — it was Joshua who was far more efficient, landing at a higher percentage and imposing his will as the fight wore on.

A controversial subplot emerged from referee Giuseppe Quartarone’s performance, as repeated breaks in the action denied both men, particularly Parker, from working effectively on the inside. Many observers — including pundits and broadcasters — criticized the stoppages, believing they disrupted the natural ebb and flow of the contest.

Despite the referee’s interference and Parker’s resilience — including a cut from an accidental elbow and absorbing several heavy shots — the outcome never truly felt in jeopardy. Joshua’s superior ring craft and clean punching gradually widened the scoring gap, particularly in the middle and late rounds.

Though the bout lacked the fireworks of Joshua’s previous outings, it marked an important evolution. He proved he could box with patience, adapt under pressure, and win rounds rather than rely solely on his thunderous power.

For Parker, the night was bittersweet. He became the first man to take Joshua the distance, showing grit and a granite chin. But the belts — and the headlines — belong to Joshua, who now stands just one title away from becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.