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
Magnesi vs Cacace – Round 4
You guessed it, Magnesi is on the front foot from the opening bell of this round. Cacace is backed up to the ropes but reverses the position and unloads a combination to the body of the Italian.
Magnesi gets in close and mixes it up, burrowing hooks into the mid-section of Cacace but also targeting the head of the Northern Irishman.
Good range management from Cacace as he jabs to the body then evades a shot up top. Magnesi then steps in with a stern body shot, however. More heavy blows from the Italian during a clinch, while Cacace tries to weigh down on Magnesi.
A right hand and left uppercut land for Cacace.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Magnesi vs Cacace – Round 3
Magnesi at once comes forward and unleashes a barrage to the head of Cacace, who keeps his defence tight before firing back with his own flurry of shots up top.
A lovely uppercut lands for Cacace as Magnesi storms forward. Now Cacace propels a hook into the body of the Italian – brutal work.
Magnesi continues to hunt down the Northern Irishman. Cacace maintains his activity, though: jab, jab, right cross, left hook at a good speed.
A right cross and a left get through for Cacace, too, in the final moments of the round.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Magnesi vs Cacace – Round 2
This is a really fun round, with both men opening up here!
Cacace with a strong spell late in the frame, connecting with hooks in close, while Magnesi counters with uppercuts!
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Magnesi vs Cacace – Round 1
Magnesi presses forward early on and tries for an overhand right before long. Good defence from him, too, as Northern Ireland’s Cacace tries to keep the Italian at bay with jabs. Now Cacace launches his own overhand right, which is blocked, though Magnesi will still have felt it.
Magnesi connects with a right hook in close after Cacace misses with an uppercut.
A jab pierces through Magnesi’s guard and snaps back his head, then Cacace adds another sharp shot – an uppercut as the round ends!
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Next up, Michael Magnesi puts the IBO super-featherweight title on the line against Anthony Cacace.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Ekow Essuman def. Samuel Antwi via unanimous decision (115-114, 117-112, 116-113).
So, differing scorecards but all in Essuman’s favour. He remains the owner of the British and Commonwealth welterweight titles.
Antwi’s expression shows that he felt he’d done enough to come out on top, but Essuman is a worthy winner as far as Indy Sport is concerned.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
That was a solid fight with some close rounds and fine boxing on both sides. Essuman will likely take this by several rounds, though.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Final round! Antwi comes forward, but Essuman avoids most of his opponent’s shots and lands some grazing punches of his own.
Essuman even lands three consecutive left hooks at close range as the fight draws to a close.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Essuman vs Antwi – Round 11
A clean hook in close lands for Essuman. Antwi then comes forward, flicking out jabs.
More effective head movement from him as Essuman is made to miss. A good effort so far from Antwi, who has never before been past the 10th round.
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