Joyce vs.Parker Preview
A big-time heavyweight battle will be going down on Saturday, September 24 at the AO Arena in Manchester, England. Undefeated British Olympic medalist Joe Joyce will fight in his own backyard against former champion Joseph Parker with major title challenge implications on the line.
Joyce (14-0, 13 KO) is coming off a fourth round TKO of Christian Hammer in his last fight. The 37-year-old has quickly climbed the heavyweight rankings with key victories over former title challengers Carlos Takam, Bryant Jennings, and Bermane Stiverne. Additionally, he defeated current WBA (regular) champion Daniel Dubois.
The British fighter is looking forward to putting on a show against Parker. “It’s my first big, big fight in front of a crowd,” Joyce said. “There’s a lot of hype behind it, there are two great fighters, myself and Joseph, and it’s going to be a tough fight. I believe it’s going to be my hardest fight to date. He’s tricky, he got good head movement, good footwork, and he really wants it. But it’s going to be exciting. It’s going to be an enjoyable fight which ends with me knocking him out.”
Joyce went on to talk about Parker. “I saw the Chisora fight and he looked good, he looked strong, he looked game,” Joyce explained. “And I’ve seen some of his interviews and he’s going for this one. He’s not doing it for his coach or anyone else, he’s doing it for himself.”
Joyce has been known to be a move-forward-first brawler and Parker is expected to be the better boxer. But Joyce believes his skills are on par with his opponents. “He’s got good footwork but so have I. It’s going to be very even. I think maybe he underestimates my skills as well as my relentless Juggernautness [sic]. My footwork is good, my head movement is good, my hand speed. People worry about my hand speed but my timing is good. I’m pretty well-rounded. So is he.”
With all that is happening at the top at heavyweight, Joyce wants one thing for himself. “Just keep it exciting,” Joyce said. “[With] all these great fighters in the mix, I’m excited. Then the likes of Fury and Usyk might be thinking about retiring and if they all go and I’m still here, it’s about all the up-and-coming heavyweights and taking on those.”
Joyce will face the toughest test of his career in Parke as he is technically the best boxer Joyce has faced thus far. Parker has proven to be durable against power punchers so Joyce will need to make adjustments if he cannot use his power early to neutralize Parker’s style.
Parker is coming off two consecutive decision wins over former title challenger Derek Chisora most recently by unanimous decision in December. He has won six straight fights since losing twice in 2018 which included losing his WBO belt to Anthony Joshua.
The New Zealander believes he is better now than when he held a title. "When I was [WBO] champion, I wasn't committed to being a champion," Parker told ESPN.
"If I could change things in hindsight I would, because I know now what I could have done as champion. It's all about learning and you have to get through these things in life.
The 30-year-old went on to say "I'm a better fighter now than I was as champion because I've learnt a lot since then about boxing and also myself. I've learned about nutrition and everything else you need to be a better fighter, an understanding of how to be a better fighter, and I'm applying all of that now.”
Parker has the opportunity to put himself in great position to challenge for a title if he can defeat 37-year-old Joyce who is WBO mandatory challenger. "For a big man, Joyce moves quite well with angles and he hits to the body and head well," Parker said. "He does get hit a bit and he has a relentless style. I can make this a fight I can control, but if I'm not focused I can make it a hard fight."
Aside from Chisora, Parker has key victories over Alex Leapai, Hughie Fury and Andy Ruiz Jr. A win over Joyce will prove that Parker should still be considered one of the best heavyweights in the world.
The co-main event will be an important title fight in the women’s featherweight division as WBC and WBO champion Amanda Serrano will battle IBF champion Sarah Mahfoud.
The main card can be seen on ESPN+ at 2:00pm ET
