Anthony Joshua defeats Joseph Parker on points to win fourth world title

The judges scored the contest 118-110, twice, and 119-109 to Joshua, the 6ft 6ins Briton with the six-inch reach advantage making his physicality tell as the rounds progressed.

At the halfway mark, I had them tied, but it was Joshua’s jab, and his greater fitness and stamina – 12 pounds lighter than his last contest – that proved the difference.

Although both men landed heavy shots, it was only in the 11th round – ironically after one of the few clinches that the referee did not intervene – that they buckled, the Samoan first, then Joshua, as they threw and exchanged heavy right hooks.

Joshua wants Deontay Wilder next, but that looks unlikely. Though the unblemished record continues, the now four-belt world champion still clearly has work to do.

Parker’s plan was clearly to circle, use his jab, look for opportunities for his heavy overhand right, and wait for Joshua to tire in the late rounds. That never came, testament to the 28-year-old’s fitness regime.

“Parker’s a good young fighter, I’m sure I’ll fight him again, but let’s get Deontay Wilder over here to get an undisputed champion of the world,” Joshua said afterwards.

Parker, cut on the eye in the 10th and showing a terrific chin, is as tough as they come, taking uppercuts and hooks. But it was not good enough in this meeting and it was Joshua’s jab which took the fight away from him after the middle rounds.

“I felt good, I need to work harder on more things. He was a bigger, better man today, but I’ll be back,” said Parker, who refused to blame the referee. Dignified to the last.

Earlier, on the undercard, Alexander Povetin, the WBA heavyweight No 1, brutally knocked out David Price in the fifth round, after the Liverpool fighter had survived a knockdown in the third round.

Povetkin is another potential opponent for Joshua. As indeed is WBC No 1-challenger Dillian Whyte. But not Wilder. Not yet. It might not have been the greatest spectacle, but the juggernaut that is ‘The Joshua Show’ careers on.