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
Faroese-Dane Mahfoud is unbeaten at 11-0, with three of her wins having come via knockout.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
This is Serrano’s first outing since April, when she lost to undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor in a very close fight at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
The co-main event has arrived – Amanda Serrano defends her featherweight belts against the unbeaten Sarah Mahfoud!
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Nathan Heaney def. Jack Flatley via technical unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 50-45).
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Heaney is trying to see the cut in the reflection of one of his team member’s glasses!
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Heaney vs Flatley – Round 5
Flatley tries to fight behind the jab. Heaney is getting a bit too wild with his counter shots.
We’ll have a time-out now as Heaney’s head is checked after an accidental but nasty clash of heads...
Oh, wow. There’s a horrid cut above Heaney’s right eye! The fight has been stopped!
We’re going to go to the judges’ scorecards.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Heaney vs Flatley – Round 4
Flatley is growing into the fight, doing a decent job of fighting on the front foot.
The men clinch, and Flatley buries left hooks into the midriff of Heaney, who is breathing heavily but tries to assert himself by coming forward after the fighters separate.
A short left lands for Heaney, but there’s not much on it.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Heaney vs Flatley – Round 3
A nice right hook finds a home for Heaney, who targets the ribs of Flatley.
He then sneaks an uppercut under Flatley’s guard, before staggering after eating a left hook to the head.
Now Flatley hooks to the body. This is a better period for both men after a scrappy spell.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Heaney vs Flatley – Round 2
Heaney with lots of volume early in the second round.
He then slows down a bit as both fighters struggle for accuracy.
Flatley at least tries to get on the front foot later in the round.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Heaney vs Flatley – Round 1
Flatley crouches then flings an overhand left Heaney’s way. He then connects with an overhand right.
Good uppercut for Heaney, though, during a Flatley flurry. Now a stern left hook from Heaney, who then lands an uppercut while moving backwards.
Clean jab for Flatley late in the round as Heaney is just a bit too static.
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