Parker's victory over Solomon Haumono in Christchurch last night ended on a note of controversy after the Australian's camp filed an official protest, believing their fighter had beaten the count.
Haumono was knocked to the canvas in the fourth round at Horncastle Arena, seemingly counted out by referee Bruce McTavish. Although it was initially unclear whether a dazed Haumono had regained his feet before McTavish reached 10, Parker was soon awarded the 17th knockout win of a perfect 20-fight professional career.
But with the Kiwi having retained his mandatory challenger tag for the IBF heavyweight crown, Haumono's camp lodged a post-fight complaint.
Unhappy with McTavish's count and thinking he could have continued, Haumono insisted he had been "robbed of an opportunity".
"I believe I was forcing the fight, got caught with a shot, was regathering my thoughts and was ready to go on," Haumono said. "Unfortunately the referee seemed to think otherwise."
Trainer Justin Fortune was adamant his fighter had risen to his feet with the count still at eight, although he then acknowledged it was difficult to hear from his corner.
"The count wasn't clear, it wasn't loud or precise," Fortune said. "It's not because we're sore losers or anything like that, it's about the fact [the referee] actually got it wrong."
McTavish, naturally, strongly disagreed with that view, suggesting Fortune's complaints were "part of the show" of boxing. The experienced referee revealed he had enjoyed an amiable conversation with Fortune following the fight, in which any grievances went unspoken.
"He changed his mind, probably for the press - he's a businessman," McTavish said. "[Haumono] wasn't really hurt but he was semi-concussed. When I got to nine he had his knee on the ground and was looking at me like we were going to have a conversation. The conversation ended at 10."
Parker's camp dismissed any claims the count - and the result - was anything but conclusive. In fact, trainer Kevin Barry said the fight was ended for Haumono's own good.
"Joseph would have put him out cold [had the fight continued] and we could have been looking at a guy getting carted off to hospital," he said. "[Haumono] was walking on the balls of his feet, his eyes were spinning in his head.
"You don't have to be a boxing expert to see what happened tonight."
• Kris Shannon is in Christchurch with assistance from Duco
