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
Next up is middleweight action as Nathan Heaney takes on Jack Flatley.
A swell of support here for Heaney, who emerges to a considerable reaction.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
This will go down as a split decision...
116-112 to Cacace...
116-112 to Magnesi...
117-111 to Cacace!
The Northern Irishman dethrones Magnesi as IBO super-featherweight champion!
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Magnesi vs Cacace – Round 12
Final round.
A right cross connects for Magnesi. Cacace comes back with one of his own. Now he backs up Magnesi for the first time in a while.
A combination lands for Magnesi, who is finally looking tired. Cacace with a counter left hook, but Magnesi unloads hooks to the body of the Northern Irishman.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Magnesi vs Cacace – Round 11
Two rounds to go. Cacace has only grown into this bout, despite constant forward pressure from champion Magnesi.
A right cross and left hook are on point for Magnesi. Cacace lands a left uppercut in the clinch.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Magnesi vs Cacace – Round 10
Final few rounds. More clean counter shots from Cacace on the back foot.
Magnesi eventually gets through with a short right hand. He then misses with a series of hooks, though, before Cacace snaps back the Italian’s head with a jab.
A Cacace left hook and right cross find homes up top. Now Magnesi manages a first significant shot in a while, however, hooking to the head of Cacace.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Magnesi vs Cacace – Round 9
Lots of volume from both fighters early in this ninth round. The super-featherweights clinch, and Magnesi just unleashes a series of right hooks into Cacace’s ribs.
The pair separate, and Cacace stops Magnesi in his tracks with a hard left hand as the Italian presses forward. Lovely shot.
A lancing jab scores for Magnesi, then a right hand.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Magnesi vs Cacace – Round 8
More viciousness from Magnesi, who targets Cacace’s body in the clinch and then smashes a right hook into the Northern Irishman’s temple. He is warned by the referee for supposedly being a bit dirty, though...
The men separate, and Magnesi lands a clean hook to the head! Now Cacace connects with a sharp one-two, however!
A left hook lands for Cacace as he steps in to close range. This is promising from the Northern Irishman, who looked at risk of tiring out. Another left hook scores for Cacace, this one to the body.
Late in the round, a right cross connects for Cacace! Magnesi grins and shakes his head.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Magnesi vs Cacace – Round 7
Brutal output from Magnesi, who immediately backs up Cacace and buries body shots into the Northern Irishman’s ribs.
It seems that Magnesi isn’t going to fade, while Cacace is perhaps beginning to... though he’s trying to maintain activity.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Magnesi vs Cacace – Round 6
Cacace misses with a few hooks and uppercuts and is punished for being too static, as Magnesi is then much more clinical, landing a spiteful right hook to the head.
It seems that the cut by Cacace’s left eye was caused by an accidental clash of heads...
Now Magnesi puts together a quick combination up top.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Magnesi vs Cacace – Round 5
Magnesi is certainly landing with considerable volume as the fight approaches its midway point.
The super-featherweights trade right hands. You have to wonder whether the constant movement under pressure is going to wear down Cacace.
He lands a hard right cross to the body of Magnesi but also looks to have been cut by his left eye.
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