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
Round 9
The referee checks on Parker’s cut ahead of the ninth round. His left eye is closing, too.
A disciplined approach from Joyce here. He’s surely ahead and is fighting sensibly.
A huge uppercut connects for Parker, but Joyce just doesn’t seem to care. He pours on punches of his own.
Left hook for Parker, right overhand for Joyce. Another left hook for Parker; this time Joyce responds with an uppercut.
Now Joyce targets the body of Parker with hooks off both wings. Parker returns th efavour.
A clean overhand right is on the money for Parker. You guessed it; Joyce is unfazed.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Round 8
Joyce picks up where he left off in the seventh round. He curves a left hook in Parker’s direction.
Parker tries for a right uppercut but misses again. Lots of straight shots from Joyce now.
A heavy right to the body and right to the head land for Joyce! Parker again comes back!
A brutal right hook lands to the body of Parker, who winces and sinks back onto the ropes.
More courage shown by Parker, though.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Round 7
Into the second half of this main event.
Parker misses by some way with a right uppercut. Joyce then leans on the Kiwi on the ropes.
Parker comes back with a right hook to the ribs of Joyce, who reponds in kind. Once more he weighs down on Parker against the ropes.
The heavyweights trade right hands to the head. Joyce with a promising flurry as Parker is backed up against the ropes; the Briton is taking more risks here, opening up more.
Parker comes back, but he’s been cut badly around his right eye! Joyce is going for a finish... but he’ll run out of time in this round.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Round 6
Joyce gets right after Parker. He’s starting to increase the intensity here, putting more power into his punches. He’s timing his shots well, too, catching out Parker.
Joyce mixes it up, varying his punches and the targets, too. Parker almost catches the Briton with an overhand counter, though, while backed up against the ropes.
Now Joyce reins things in a bit, getting back behind the jab. Again Parker lands a decent right hand on the counter.
Now a right uppercut connects for Parker, but Joyce is still unfazed. Late in the round, Parker remembers to target the body of the Olympian.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Round 5
Joyce backs up Parker and employs a few hooks to the body of the Kiwi, who then nearly walks onto a right hand as he looks to get off the ropes.
Parker is breathing heavily but lands a decent left hook. He’s finally warned about a low blow.
Parker’s hands are low. Both men trade body shots. Persisent pressure from Joyce, who then eats a right hook up top.
A right cross lands for Parker, but again Joyce walks through it.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Round 4
This has been lots of fun so far.
Parker whips a left hook round, landing upstairs. Joyce seems unfazed. The Briton is throwing teasing, straight punches.
Parker then buries two left hooks below the belt of Joyce, and the “Juggernaut” winces but doesn’t complain! How?!
A right cross lands for Parker. This is so back and forth.
Joyce corners Parker, who goes to the jab in an effort to keep the Briton at bay. A left hook lands clean for Parker, but once again Joyce evidences the resilience of his chin by absorbing it well! And the same with a HUGE overhand right!
Parker launches another overhand right, which is partially blocked.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Round 3
Joyce comes forward and sticks behind the jab. There are a couple of teasing left hooks from the Briton, too, before he lays into the cheek of Parker with a heavy one!
Now the heavyweights really let their hands go! It’s Joyce who is throwing with rgeater volume and landing!
Is Parker in trouble? Now Joyce swings to the body. Parker is still with it, regains some composure and appears to squeeze an uppercut through his opponent’s guard.
Joyce is undeterred, however. Parker gets back to those body hooks, before he throws a quick right hand to the head of Joyce.
The final few seconds of the round are messy, with Parker connecting with a right hand on the bell!
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Round 2
Joyce again looks to fight on the front foot. He grazes Parker with a hook up top, then beats the Kiwi to the punch with a jab.
Parker sticks to his gameplan with heavy hooks to the mid-section of the Briton. Joyce blocks a heavy left hook upstairs but eats a right cross. He takes it well, though.
Again Joyce backs up Parker, and again the New Zealander retaliates with body shots. A wild overhand right misses for Parker as he looks to get off the ropes.
Now Parker looks to get behind the jab. Joyce’s speed, or lack thereof, is often criticised, but the pressure he’s applying is consistent and seems to be causing Parker a few issues.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
Round 1
Lots of pressure from Joyce early on, while Parker looks to split the guard with jabs up top.
The Kiwi then hurls some hooks into the midriff of Joyce.
Each man takes his turn to surge forward with shots. Parker continues to target the body of Joyce.
A competitive first round.
Joyce vs Parker LIVE
The fighters are in the ring, the introductions have been made... here we go!
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