Joe Joyce sets sights on Oleksandr Usyk after Joseph Parker KO – but doubts champion will face him
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EXCLUSIVE: ‘If he looked, I don’t think he’ll be too excited’ – Joe Joyce sets his sights on a showdown with Oleksandr Usyk after knocking out Joseph Parker… but doubts his former amateur rival will meet him after his explosive show at the weekend
- Joe Joyce sat down for a chat with Sportsmail after his win over Joseph Parker
- The Briton destroyed Parker with a devastating left hand on round 11 of their match
- He is now chasing a crack at Unified Heavyweight Chief Oleksandr Usyk next
- But Joyce doesn’t expect his former amateur opponent to be excited about the fight
- The Juggernaut says Usyk wants to swerve him when he watches Saturday’s game
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Joe Joyce goes on the hunt for Oleksandr Usyk after taking out Joseph Parker over the weekend, but doesn’t expect his former amateur foe to be interested.
Joyce confirmed his status as a mandatory challenger to Usyk’s WBO crown on Saturday night, when a slashing left hook dismantled Parker in round 11 of their clash at the Manchester Arena.
It was a serious statement from the Juggernaut, who was the first man to stop Parker – the former WBO champion – in the distance.
Joe Joyce is chasing a crack at Oleksandr Usyk after he killed Joseph Parker on Saturday
He remains at the front of the line for a world title, which could come against Usyk early next year.
The Ukrainian, who holds three of four recognized heavyweight titles, will need an opponent if WBC champion Tyson Fury strikes a deal to defeat Anthony Joshua next.
His favorite backup choice is believed to be the hard-hitting Deontay Wilder, but Joyce is adamant he should be battling for the WBO title next time.
When asked which fighter he would like next, Joyce said: Sports post: ‘Usyk, because he will have to defend the WBO against me. So he has to fight me next, if not then he has to leave and I will be elevated to champion.
Joyce was the first man to stop Parker in the distance in Manchester on Saturday
The Juggernaut remains mandatory challenger for Joyce’s WBO titles after the win
But he doesn’t expect Usyk to be happy to face him when he sees his emphatic victory over Parker
“If he were to watch the fight on Saturday, I don’t think he’d be too excited unless he’s behind the scenes planning and has a game plan. But I think he wants to fight Fury, but then Fury might be tied up with Joshua.”
Usyk is an opponent Joyce knows well after their amateur fight, the latter being defeated by a man who would go on to become the undisputed king of cruiserweight and unified heavyweight champion.
He hopes to etch his name even further in the history books by sweeping up all the marbles in boxing’s blue-riband division, with Fury holding the last remaining belt.
However, Joyce is determined to avenge his amateur defeat to Usyk and believes he would be much better equipped to do so this time.
Usyk beat Joyce in the amateur ranks and surpassed the Brit on the night
“In the WSB (World Series of Boxing) I didn’t even have a left-handed sparring, I had no experience fighting a left-handed,” he said.
“As a professional with smaller gloves and longer laps, I think he will feel it in 12 laps.
“It’s a very tough fight because he’s a great fighter, but I’d love to take that challenge to beat him.”