Joe Joyce made a serious statement in the heavyweight division over the weekend by becoming the first man to stop former WBO champion Joseph Parker.
A jaw-dropping fight at Manchester’s AO Arena finally came to a halt in the eleventh round when Parker’s stunning defense ended with a stunning left-handed knockout from Joyce.
After securing the interim WBO heavyweight title and the biggest win of his career to extend his perfect boxing record to 15-0, talk quickly turned to who Joyce might face next.
The 37-year-old is well-placed to try to clinch the WBO heavyweight title currently held by Oleksandr Usyk, who he fought as an amateur in 2013.
Joyce also suggested he was ready to fight Tyson Fury, who is also promoted by Frank Warren and has yet to find an opponent for his final WBC title defense of 2022.
Immediately after the fight, talkSPORT pundit Spencer Oliver started talking about a potential fight between Joyce and his Finchley Amateur Boxing Club friend Anthony Joshua.
“He’s going to be a tough man to beat no matter who he’s up against,” he said.
“Let’s say he’s boxing Anthony Joshua next, who would you pick to win that one? I mean, Joyce would probably start the favourite, if I’m being totally honest, on that performance.
“What he did there to Joseph Parker, who has been around for a long time and is still only 30 years old and he has all that experience and you can highlight all the people he has gone the distance with.
“Dillian Whyte, he got up off the ground. Anthony Joshua, he went the distance with. Andy Ruiz, he beat. I mean, the guy is a world class operator.
“What Joyce did there was amazing, it was a fantastic contest.”
The former boxer believes Joyce has a decent ring IQ and wouldn’t just rely on his granite chin if up against an infamous power puncher such as Deontay Wilder.
“Do you know what’s wrong with him?” He has a better boxing IQ than a lot of people attribute to him,” Oliver added.
“What he did there was amazing, he was working well behind his jab,
“Deontay Wilder versus Joe Joyce. Wow! What a fight! Make sure that this happens!”
According to his promoter, the plan is for ‘The Juggernaut’ to enjoy a well-deserved rest before returning to action in February or March next year before challenging for a world title in 2023.
After his last performance, it seems only a matter of time before Joyce takes on Fury, Usyk, Joshua and Wilder in mega fights.
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