Joe Joyce vs Joseph Parker finally agreed and set for September 24
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Joe Joyce will face Joseph Parker on September 24 in Manchester as the heavyweights battle it out for a world title shot against the winner of Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua
- Joe Joyce vs Joseph Parker sees the number one & two WBO heavyweights clash
- The rearranged fight is set for September 24 at the AO Arena in Manchester
- The pair were originally set for July 2 in London, but Joyce had to withdraw
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Joe Joyce is being given the chance to secure a mandatory challenge for at least one and perhaps two of the world heavyweight championship belts.
Britain’s former Olympic silver medallist will face New Zealand’s former world champion Joseph Parker at Manchester Arena on September 24 in a final eliminator for titles at stake in Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk later this month.
The fight will take place on BT Sport Box Office, promoted by Frank Warren for Queensberry Promotions in association with Ben Shalom’s BOXXER.
Joe Joyce vs Joseph Parker was originally set for July 2 but September 24 is the new date
The heavyweight contest had been scheduled for July 2 at Wembley Arena after the pair spoke at Tyson Fury versus Dillian Whyte.
However, Parker’s trainer Andy Lee was due to become a father that month and that caused both camps to put the brakes on. Joyce would go on to knockout Christian Hammer on the same July 2 date.
As the No 1 and No 2 contenders for the WBO title respectively, Joyce and Parker will be next in line to contest that belt, perhaps early next year after Tyson Fury comes back to take on the winner of Joshua-Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight crown.
Joyce is undefeated as a prol and is in line for a heavyweight title shot if he stays that way
Parker has already been to the mountain top but has had a new lease of life under Andy Lee
The WBC title will also come into play for them as No 2 and No 3 challengers with that organisation, should lead contender Deontay Wilder’s own comeback from defeats by Fury be delayed.
Ironically this opportunity for Joyce comes in a fight which was not supposed to take place once the first encounter was postponed.
His promoter Warren responded to Parker spurning him to join the rival BOXXER stable in June by saying: ‘This fight will never happen.’
A flurry of talks between the promoters has suddenly broken that deadlock and Warren says now: ‘This has taken a little making but we’ve got there because this is a fantastic fight between two in-form quality heavyweights which keeps the championship ball rolling.
‘There’s been a lot of aggravation in getting this over the line – but we’re there now.’
The deal includes a rematch clause for Joyce in the event that he would suffer his first defeat. Although he told Parker: ‘I’m going to put a dent in your face and knock you out, little Joe. ‘
Joyce and Parker believing they’re fighting for a shot at the winner of Joshua vs Usyk
The Kiwi replied: ‘Other way round and you’ll never catch me. ‘
Warren has scored a victory over Sky by securing the UK television rights for BT Sports.
Joyce is still undefeated since turning pro with 13 Kos in his 14 fights, including one over Daniel Dubois who has recovered from that solitary defeat by knocking out Trevor Bryan in America this June to claim the WBA ‘regular’ world title.
Dubois will hope to challenge the Joshua-Usyk winner for the WBA ‘super’ championship.
Joyce v Parker will be televised live on BT Sports Box Office on Saturday September 24