Joe Joyce vs Joseph Parker LIVE: Latest updates, result and reaction tonight
Re-live updates from the heavyweights’ showdown in Manchester plus all the undercard action
On Saturday night in Manchester, Joe Joyce was unfazed, undeterred and unrelenting as he marched through Joseph Parker’s offence, defence and resilience to knock out the New Zealander in the 11th round and claim the vacant interim WBO heavyweight title. There have been criticisms of Joyce’s speed, movement and creativity since the Olympic silver medalist turned pro, but the Briton has compiled a 15-0 (14 KOs) unbeaten record by playing to his strengths, and that was exactly what he did against Parker in this enthralling main-event contest at the AO Arena.
At 37 years old, Joyce has time against him in his quest to become a world champion, but it did not show on Saturday. Joyce picked his moments wisely in Manchester, applying constant, measured pressure against Parker but only increasing the volume and intensity of his output when absolutely necessary. Joyce established a healthy lead with forward movement, teasing jabs and well-timed power punches, while New Zealand’s Parker demonstrated great heart to absorb his opponent’s most effective offence and fire back with brutal body hooks and the occasional frightening haymaker.
Yet the “Juggernaut” continually pressed forward, indefatigable as he accepted Parker’s punches as though they were ‘tickles’, something he had threatened to do ahead of the bout. As the cuts and bruises began to mount for Parker, who did his best not to wilt and to instead conjure a finish against the odds, Joyce sensed that the end need not wait until the final bell, and he ultimately put Parker away in the penultimate round. Re-live updates from Joyce vs Parker and the full undercard, below.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Now here comes the unbeaten Joyce, who is 14-0 as a pro with 13 KO wins.
Prior to turning pro, Joyce won silver for Team GB at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Now 37 years old, though, the Briton has time against him.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
New Zealand’s Parker is first to make his ring walk. Teammate Tyson Fury wishes him luck along the way.
Parker’s professional record stands at 30-2 (21 knockouts). His only defeats have come against Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, both of whom outpointed the 30-year-old.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Here’s an excerpt from our interview with Parker this week:
“I’ve met Joe before, a few times, and he’s a nice guy. We’re going back and forth on social media, but ultimately we both can’t talk crap – and we’re not very good at it. But when we fight, we’re gonna fight hard; I think we’re gonna do most of our talking in the ring, both of us.
“I think we should leave the crap-talking to Tyson [Fury, Parker’s teammate] and to Deontay Wilder, to everyone else. Every fight’s the same; whether it’s someone who talks a lot of crap and s*** or someone who’s nice, it’s all the same. I wanna go in there and get the job done, and beat them up.”
Full interview here:
Joseph Parker on Joe Joyce fight: ‘We should leave the cr**-talking to Fury’
Interview: The New Zealander is training with Tyson Fury in Morecambe as he prepares to take on another British heavyweight, Joe Joyce, this Saturday
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Here’s Indy Sport columnist Steve Bunce on tonight’s main event:
“Joyce and Parker are both in the world’s top 10, both waiting for a championship fight but have instead, against all logic, agreed to fight each other. It is a truly rare event in the muddled business of boxing and one that they have agreed to on a voluntary basis and not under orders from one of the sanctioning bodies.
“Joyce is unbeaten in 14 professional fights since losing in the Olympic final in 2016; Parker once held the WBO title and he has only lost to the very best. Parker has never been stopped and Joyce has knocked out 13 of the men he has beaten. I have no idea why these two are fighting – it is a joy.
“It really is a risk, a tough fight for both at a time when just about every leading contender in every single weight division is taking the easy route. Joyce and Parker deserve respect for breaking with tradition, turning the ancient boxing clock back and agreeing to fight.”
Full article here:
Joe Joyce and Joseph Parker set logic aside to turn back ancient boxing clock
Both heavyweights are in line for a championship fight but have decided to risk it all against one another in Manchester this Saturday
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
One fight left! Joe Joyce vs Joseph Parker for the vacant WBO interim heavyweight title.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Amanda Serrano def. Sarah Mahfoud via unanimous decision (99-92, 97-93, 97-93).
Serrano retains her featherweight titles and adds another belt to her collection!
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Serrano vs Mahfoud – Round 10
Final round! Serrano is stalking Mahfoud, who has landed with greater success over the last few frames and has reddened the face of Serrano.
A right cross connects for Mahfoud as she beats the Puerto Rican to the punch. But Serrano comes back with a heavy hook to the body.
Another fine spell from Mahfoud to close out the fighter, however.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Serrano vs Mahfoud – Round 9
Penultimate round.
Lots of movement from Serrano. She drives a left straight into the ribs of Mahfoud.
The champion then wings a left hook, but Mahfoud is out of range. Good head movement from Serrano as Mahfoud looks to fire back.
A fine flurry from Mahfoud in the closing moments! She stings the champion with a right straight!
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