Joe Joyce vs Joseph Parker – Who wins and why?
WBO #1 Joe Joyce will take on former world champion Joseph Parker on September 24 at the AO Arena in Manchester exclusively live on BT Sport Box Office, promoted by Frank Warren for Queensberry Promotions in association with BOXXER.
The heavyweight collision between No.1 and No.2 in the WBO rankings, as well as being rated at No.2 and No.3 by the WBC, will represent a shootout to determine who will be made mandatory challenger for the winner of the forthcoming rematch between Oleksandr Us Uk and Anthony Joshua.
With the highly-ranked heavyweights so closely matched, BBN asked their panel of experts for their views on the fight:
Ryan Walsh, Former British Featherweight Champion
"This will be a war of attrition. Parker has better movement, will use his better footwork and ultimately he is the more experienced man.
I fancy Parker on points in very tight affair."
Jack Hughes, Southern Area Super-Flyweight Champion
"Joe Joyce late stoppage. I’ll go with a TKO Joe Joyce late stoppage. I’ll go with a tko in the 8th round.in the 8th round."
Archie Goricki, Featherweight prospect
"Joyce will win this by TKO in rounds 9-11. Parker's best days are behind him and he isn't hungry anymore, and Joyce is the fresher fighter and more motivated to prove himself."
Chris Glover, Boxing Journalist
"I’ve got Joe Parker in this one. I think his movement and speed will call Joyce issues all night, especially on the inside. It’s a great fight, and Joyce is a great fighter, but I just have Parker winning this one."
Ben Day, Former Southern Area Champion
"I remember a guy in an interview saying, “Joe Joyce has a granite chin, when he was sparring in Vegas he got hit with three left hooks in a row and kept moving forward. No mate, the sweet science is to hit and not get hit, for me Joseph Parker is the more skilful fighter, but Joe Joyce is strong with a lot of heart.
I can see Parker beating Joyce, but not getting the decision as Parker is the b-side fighter."
Tim Rickson, BBN Editor
"Joe Joyce is hard to bet against, but this fight, for me, is a real 50-50. I'm finding it hard to side with anyone.
Parker is a skilled technician, I think he has a strong chance of outboxing Joyce to win on points. Joyce gets tagged a lot, but he is also able to land a lot, so I really see the rounds being very even and hard to score, and I see this going the distance and being a very close decision.
Parker has the edge in experience and also has top trainer and tactician Andy Lee in his corner, and will be supported by Tyson Fury all through camp.
Joyce is relentless, he will never stop throwing, so Parker could tire under that pressure in the later rounds which is where the 'Juggernaut' stands the best chance of scoring a stoppage.
I think it could go either way, but I've got this sneaky suspicion Parker could edge this one."
Nathan Weise, Southern Area Title Contender
"Joe Joyce wins in six rounds with a heavy KO. He’s the real deal; too big, too strong; reminds me of a young George Foreman. People slag him off, but I rate the guy and believe he will go all the way."
Uros Djikanovic, Boxing Manager & Promoter
"I think Joe Joyce wins the fight. Parker is a great all-round boxer and I think he will work a lot and throw a lot of punches in this fight. He will put pressure on Joyce. This fight will be Joyce’s toughest thus far. I think Joyce will win by split decision. His wing span and height will be a big factor in this fight."
