What’s next for Joe Joyce?
Joe Joyce proved on Saturday night in Manchester that – despite being 37 years of age – he still has plenty left in the tank. Oddschecker, which compares odds and provides free offers on boxing, had placed the Juggernaut a slight betting favorite for his showdown with former WBO World Heavyweight Champion Joseph Parker, but no one could have predicted the fashion in which he would secure the victory.
The undefeated Briton’s relentless pressure and power punching left his Kiwi opponent bludgeoned, covered in blood, and relying on his overhand right to get him out of trouble. And while Parker did land that daunting right hand on numerous occasions, Joyce walked through it each and every time, landing clubbing blows of his own as the fight reached the championship rounds.
From there, the London native took over and in Round 11 he closed the show. A powerful left hook to the chin of Parker left him flattened in the corner and, while he did – barely – make his way to his feet, referee Steve Gray could see the former champ was out of it and correctly waved the fight off.
In the post-fight interview, Joyce called out Unified Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk, who himself is coming off back-to-back victories over Anthony Joshua. So what’s next for Saturday night’s victor?
Oleksandr Usyk
The victory over Parker has secured Joyce’s status as the mandatory challenger for the WBO Heavyweight Championship, a title that is currently held by Usyk. The pair have history as well. In the amateurs, Joyce was one of Usyk’s 335 amateur victims. The pair fought back in 2013 as part of the 2012/13 World Series of Boxing. Joyce may get a chance to vanquish that ghost, but that requires Usyk to remain the WBO champion. And that isn’t a guarantee.
Tyson Fury
The reason that isn’t a guarantee is because of everyone’s favorite Gypsy King. Tyson Fury has been pushing for a fight with Usyk himself to determine the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis some two decades ago. Whether that fight comes to fruition, however, remains to be seen. Usyk has stated that he won’t be ready for the fight until the new year, which has left WBC and Lineal Champion Fury seeking out a British super fight with Anthony Joshua.
That fight may also not materialize, however, as AJ and his promoter Eddie Hearn are yet to sign the contract for the showdown. Should Joshua not sign on the dotted line, that may open the door for Joyce, as both he and Fury are promoted by Frank Warren, which could make a deal relatively simple.