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
Full main-event report here:
Joe Joyce finishes Joseph Parker to cap off relentless display in Manchester
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Joe Joyce def. Joseph Parker via 11th-round KO (1:03).
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Joyce led by two, three, and five rounds across the judges’ scorecards at the time of the stoppage.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Parker showed great heart and resilience, but Joyce was unrelenting and the finish was always within reach.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Round 11
Into the championship rounds. Parker with some nice counter shots, but Joyce starts to pour on some heavy strikes of his own.
The Briton is going in search of a finish, and he might have found it with a vicious left hook! It’s a heavy fall for Parker, and he just fails to beat the referee’s count!!!
Joyce wins via KO!
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Round 10
A brutal start to the 10th round, with each man landing heavy shots to the head and body of his opponent.
Parker finds homes for a left hook and an uppercut. Good head movement from Joyce to avoid any further offence.
He corners Parker then leans on the Kiwi, who is looking fatigued and wobbly now.
Two left hooks in quick succession land for Parker, though. He just about blocks a hard left hook up top, then lands two more of his own just before the bell!
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