Andy Ruiz wants a rematch, and few could argue he does not deserve one.

The Mexican heavyweight surprised many with his durability, speed and relentless aggression against Joseph Parker at Vector Arena.

Ultimately, Ruiz's fast start wasn't enough to convince the judges he should claim the vacant WBO title.

LAWRENCE SMITH/FAIRFAX NZ New WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker talks to waiting media after his historic win over Andy Ruiz in the WBO title fight at Auckland's Vector Arena.

Two of the three officials scored in Parker's favour 115-113 - the other had it a 114 draw - to hand Ruiz a majority decision defeat, the first loss of his 30-fight career.

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PHOTOSPORT Joseph Parker lands a left hook on the chin of Andy Ruiz in the early rounds.

Ruiz was regularly successful in closing the distance and stalking Parker. He landed in bunches, frequently tagging Parker to the body and head.

Ruiz did not so much fade as Parker lifted his work-rate and connections as the fight wore on. But the visitor certainly has a valid case in regards to believing he dominated large periods of the contest.

"I think I won the fight," Ruiz said. "I was always on the pace; always controlling the rounds with the jab. I was always pushing him back. I don't think he threw a lot of combinations. I showed I was the faster guy out there but I came here to his hometown. I think the judges were in his favour.

"I think I surprised a lot of people. Everyone keeps telling me that I won. I want a rematch."

Prior to the fight, Duco Events and Parker signed a promotional agreement with Top Rank's Bob Arum, who also looks after Ruiz.

Ruiz was hopeful that would now play in his favour and see the two young heavyweights duke it out again soon.



No rematch clause was included in the contract, though, and the Parker camp is likely to have minimal interest in giving Ruiz another shot when a path towards bigger fights in England can be plotted.



"I'm signed with Bob Arum so hopefully they give me a rematch here or in the United States. I came here to his hometown so maybe he can come to mine and defend it over there on my turf.



"Maybe I could have done a little bit more to win but I'm only 27-years-old so I'll come back stronger."

Ruiz was sporting a puffy face after copping some flush blows but claimed a cut above his right eye came from an accidental headbutt.

"He didn't hurt me at all. I think I was controlling the pace and throwing a lot of jabs to the body. He couldn't really do anything but move back. I give him four rounds where he got me. Hopefully we'll get a rematch one day."

Asked whether Parker could match it with the likes of Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko, Ruiz said:

"No I don't think so. If I did pretty good with him, there's going to be a lot of boxers that are going to do good. My right hand was a little messed up in the fourth round and I couldn't throw as many combinations but I think him and his team were a little shocked. I congratulate him. I appreciate all the fans here in New Zealand."

Ruiz's trainer, Abel Sanchez, who has guided 17 former champions, supported his boxer's call for a rematch.

"I thought we won. I thought we were a couple of rounds up. I was imploring Andy towards the end that I needed the rounds only because I didn't want him to slow down," Sanchez said. "I thought he won the first four or five rounds and easily won three more of the last seven. I felt Parker maybe got four rounds at the most.

"We're in New Zealand. Everything he did the crowd went crazy - the judges may have been influenced but the judges have the last call. They scored it so we have to take it.

"I told Andy before we came we were two points down because we were in New Zealand and we understood that ... it's just it wasn't two points it was four we were down.

"If he won the first four or five rounds, it's impossible for him to lose the rest of them. It's like Andre Ward and [Sergey] Kovalev that's the kind of decision it seems like."

Asked whether there would be appetite for rematch, Sanchez was emphatic.

"Absolutely. When's the last time you saw a heavyweight fight like this where the guys actually threw punches at each other instead of holding and throwing one punch at a time. It was the kind of fight I'd like to see again as a fan."