Joseph Parker has had a lengthy career filled with highs and lows.
The New Zealand native is a former world title holder and has gone through a career resurgence in recent years as Parker knocked out Martin Bakole in 2025.
Back among the division’s elite after dropping his world title to Anthony Joshua, Parker is looking to become a two-time heavyweight champion. However, Parker has come a long way in his boxing career.
Turning professional in 2012, Parker started his career as he meant to go on, with a second-round knockout. Then, for his sixth fight, he would face a notable name in heavyweight boxing history.
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Joseph Parker fought and defeated Frans Botha in 2013
A 5-0 Parker would find himself matched up with heavyweight veteran Frans Botha in 2013. The two would fight in Auckland, as Botha had a professional record of 48-9-3 going into the fight.
Botha was aged 44 when he stepped in the ring to fight Parker, who was 23 years younger than the South African.
Parker was able to put his age advantage to use in New Zealand. After winning the opening round, Parker applied a devastating finish in the second. A right hand would sting the veteran, as Parker then unleashed while his opponent was on the ropes.
As the punches eventually got through the defense of Botha, ‘The White Buffalo’ would crumble to the canvas.
Botha would go on to have one more fight in 2014 before hanging his gloves up on a legendary career.
Frans Botha fought some of the greatest heavyweights of all time
Although Botha retired with a professional record of 48-11-3, he has some of the greatest heavyweights of all time on his resume.
Mike Tyson took on the South African in 1999, with the American winning via fifth-round knockout as the two met in Las Vegas. Botha also earned a majority draw against Shannon Briggs later that year.
The year 2000 would see Botha challenge Lennox Lewis for his world heavyweight titles, getting stopped in the second round.
Botha would get another world title opportunity in 2002. However, an eighth-round TKO loss to Wladimir Klitschko would make it an unsuccessful title challenge.
In 2010, Evander Holyfield was another notable name to be added to Botha’s resume. However, he would also be stopped by Holyfield, losing in the eighth round.