Joseph Parker has been on a resurgent run that’s placed him firmly back in the heavyweight elite, but long before his recent high-profile wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang, the New Zealander was already showing flashes of his frightening potential. In fact, it was in just his sixth professional fight that Parker accomplished something that even legends like Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis couldn’t do as fast—he stopped a veteran of the sport with ruthless precision, and in doing so, signaled to the boxing world that he was no ordinary prospect.

Joseph Parker’s Meteoric Start in the Pro Ranks

When Joseph Parker turned professional in 2012, he was already being touted as New Zealand’s next big hope in heavyweight boxing. Standing 6’4”, with fast hands, smooth footwork, and a composed ring demeanor, Parker brought a refreshing combination of talent and discipline to the sport.

By 2014, just two years into his career, Parker had already rattled off five professional wins. But it was his sixth fight that turned heads—when he stepped into the ring against South African veteran Frans Botha, a fighter who had shared the squared circle with some of the greatest heavyweights in history.

Who Was Frans Botha? A Heavyweight Gatekeeper

Though well past his prime at the time of the bout, Frans Botha was no ordinary stepping-stone opponent. Known as “The White Buffalo,” he had fought—and often gone the distance with—some of the biggest names in the division, including:

Evander Holyfield

Wladimir Klitschko

Michael Moorer

Shannon Briggs (a draw)

Mike Tyson (TKO loss in round 5)

Lennox Lewis (KO loss in round 2)

By the time he met Parker, Botha had a record of 48-9-3, though he had lost five of his last six fights. Still, his name and experience alone made him a major challenge for a 22-year-old Parker with just five professional bouts under his belt.

But what happened next was nothing short of sensational.

Parker’s First Statement KO on the World Stage

In a performance that shocked many and confirmed the hype surrounding him, Joseph Parker stopped Frans Botha in just two rounds, delivering a ferocious right hand that left the veteran unable to continue.

Even more impressively, Parker accomplished the feat faster than either Mike Tyson or Lennox Lewis.

Tyson knocked out Botha in round 5 (1999)

Lennox Lewis took 2 full rounds to dispatch Botha (2000)

Joseph Parker? He finished the job seven seconds quicker than Lewis, making him the fastest man to knock out Botha in a professional ring.

This may not have been peak Botha, but the comparison to two of the greatest heavyweights of all time remains significant.

From Prospect to Contender to Comeback King

That early-career win was just a preview of what Parker was capable of. He went on to:

Win the WBO heavyweight title in 2016 by defeating Andy Ruiz Jr., becoming the first New Zealander to win a major world heavyweight title.

Defend that title twice before losing it in a unification bout to Anthony Joshua in 2018 via unanimous decision.

Take on Dillian Whyte later that same year, pushing the British brawler to the brink in another close loss.

Suffer a stoppage loss to Joe Joyce in 2022—a fight many believed could be the end of Parker’s top-level campaign.

But Parker wasn’t done.

The Resurgence: Wilder, Zhang, and Beyond

2023 and 2024 brought a surprising and powerful comeback for Parker. He shocked the boxing world with a dominant win over Deontay Wilder, nullifying the American’s feared right hand and proving he belonged in title conversations once again.

He followed that up with another impressive victory over Zhilei Zhang, showcasing slick defense, veteran savvy, and renewed confidence under the guidance of trainer Andy Lee and with the backing of Tyson Fury’s camp.

Most recently, Parker delivered a statement knockout over Martin Bakole, a fighter known for his durability and strength. That win has pushed him to the brink of another world title opportunity—likely against the winner of Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois II, assuming the belts don’t scatter and Usyk remains active.

Parker’s Only Three Losses: All to British Fighters

Despite his impressive resume, Parker’s career isn’t without setbacks. His three career losses have all come against British opponents:

Anthony Joshua (UD12) in 2018 – where he lost his WBO title

Dillian Whyte (UD12) also in 2018 – a close battle that saw Parker come back strong in the later rounds

Joe Joyce (KO11) in 2022 – a war in which Parker showed tremendous heart but was ultimately stopped by the “Juggernaut”

Yet, even those defeats seem to have forged a tougher, smarter version of Joseph Parker.

A Contender That Refuses to Be Counted Out

Joseph Parker’s career arc is the stuff of boxing legend. From knocking out a veteran quicker than Tyson and Lewis, to losing his world title, to climbing back up the mountain, he’s proven time and again that he’s not just talented—he’s resilient.

Now, as he eyes another world title opportunity, Parker has become the dark horse of the heavyweight division, a fighter no champion will overlook. He’s more experienced, more mature, and perhaps more dangerous than ever.

Conclusion: From Forgotten Prospect to Future Champion?

That night when a 22-year-old Parker knocked out Frans Botha wasn’t just another win—it was a harbinger of the kind of destruction he could unleash, even against names associated with greatness.

Now, more than a decade later, Joseph Parker’s star burns bright again, with his eyes on heavyweight glory and the potential to become a two-time world champion. If history has taught us anything, it’s that you count out Joseph Parker at your own risk.

Because whether it’s Tyson, Lewis, or any rising contender, few can say they did what he did—and did it faster.