By Duncan Johnstone

New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker reckons he has learned more from 10 rounds against Sherman Williams than he has in his last 10 fights and will take those lessons forward as his camp plots his next move.

At the end of an enthralling 10 rounds in Auckland last night, judges awarded Parker a unanimous decision to stretch his unbeaten record to 11 wins. The win was not without controversy though with Parker claiming dubious tactics from Williams and the Bahamas heavyweight crying foul at the New Zealand judges.

Williams, a 42-year-old veteran, did everything he could to rattle Parker - standing on his feet to slow his movement, leading with his head when he could, hitting him low, hitting him in the back of the head and hitting him after the bell, inciting Parker's trainer Kevin Barry to jump into the ring and offer a very strong opinion after the third round.

The veteran even got Parker four times with his trademark looping overhand right that he believed should have earned him better reward. Williams didn't dispute he'd lost, but he was furious that two of the three judges gave all 10 rounds to Parker.

Williams suggested it was "worse than being robbed in New York by a 9mm" and said with that sort of judging it would be difficult to get American and Caribbean boxers to come to New Zealand. But he was desperate to return, seeking a rematch where "I'll knock Joseph Parker out in six rounds".

That won't happen. Williams has served his purpose, living up to his reputation for durability to provide a stern test for Parker who was pushed beyond seven rounds for the first time in his career.

Parker didn't get the knockout he predicted, but the 22-year-old emerged a worthy winner, unscathed and delighted with his discipline and patience where he displayed technical attributes to secure victory rather than through his notorious power game.

"My fitness was great. I'm in great shape. I showed I'm a tough guy because Sherman's solid. I learned a lot fighting Sherman and I know I'm going to improve from this fight. He gave me the rounds that I needed," Parker said.

"I tried to get him with a good punch to knock him out, but he stayed tight and I'm proud to go 10 rounds. Everyone doubted I could go 10 rounds because my fights have stopped early. But I knew I could because of the work I'd done in the gym. "

Williams' ball of defence was hard for Parker to penetrate and explained why he has been stopped just once in 53 fights. He also quickly negated Parker's frequent attacks with clinches to frustrate the Kiwi camp.

"He's got some tricks. He's a very tricky opponent, he's been in the game a long time and he used all those tricks against me.

"He thought he won the fight, I thought I won the fight, that I out-boxed him by fighting smart. He clipped me a few times, but I out-boxed him and I'm just happy with the win."

Barry made it clear he felt the judges got it right: "I thought it was a shut-out."

He paid tribute to Williams.

"He had a couple of moments during the fight, but what he showed was that he's a a very experienced veteran and a great survivor. There were numerous times in the fight where Joe buckled his legs, but Sherman was able to hold on and shake the cobwebs off and start again."

Barry said they knew the "dirty tricks" were coming and said he felt he had to retaliate himself.

"He hit Joe with a couple of shots after the bell. Look, I've been around the game a long time and Sherman is a very old, experienced veteran. I jumped into the ring and tried to get under his skin as he was trying to do with Joe. I told Joe I was just messing with Sherman."

Barry was thrilled with the composure and attitude of Parker.

"I thought Joe boxed really nicely. I think he put his skills on display. He was very patient and showed maturity. As a coach I was very pleased," Barry said, only lamenting Parker's hesitance to throw more body shots.

"But we got 10 excellent, competitive rounds of boxing and those rounds are irreplaceable. I'm very happy with Joe's condition - he wasn't blowing at all at the end of the fight. He did some really nice work and probably against any other opponent you would have seen somebody on the canvas."

Barry labelled Williams' style as that of "a survivor".

"When you don't throw many punches, you are holding your hands up around your ears. The more punches you throw, the more open you are, hence Sherman's survivor style."