Parker Unafraid Of What Joyce Brings To The Table: “I Know I Can Beat This Guy Up”

Before Joseph Parker officially remakes his final claim as a championship-caliber boxer, he will first be asked to topple former Olympic silver medalist Joe Joyce.

In the main event at the Manchester Arena this Saturday night, both highly ranked contenders will square off with the WBO interim crown on the line. Regarded as a sizeable underdog, Parker (30-2, 21 KOs) is baffled by those who write him off. Throughout Joyce’s boxing career, Parker has closely followed his development. And while he wholeheartedly respects what he brings to the table, the former WBO belt holder has a hard time visualizing where Joyce has the advantage over him in any category.

“Coming into this fight, I know I can take care of business and beat this guy,” Parker told Jai-Marcus McAllister: BOXING. “I think I’m going to be too fast, I’m going to be too fast, I have better movement than him.

Joyce, 37, has long been criticized for his primitive fighting style. But even with the former Olympic silver medalist lacking a more eye-pleasing approach, the hard-hitting heavyweight contender has enjoyed plenty of success in the ring.

As of now, Joyce’s most memorable moment in the ring came about two years ago. On November 28, 2020, the gargantuan contender was seen as a significant underdog heading into his matchup against Daniel Dubois. Yet despite the betting world expecting him to fall flat on his face, Joyce (14-0, 13 KOs) scored the most impressive victory of his career, a tenth-round knockout win.

Since then, Joyce has continued to throw his hands up in triumph, notching back-to-back knockout victories over Carlos Takam and Christian Hammer. However, Parker shrugs it off when he talks about Joyce’s underrated abilities.

By all accounts, as the former heavyweight belt holder puts the finishing touches on an arduous training camp, he appears to be drenched in confidence, no matter what Joyce brings to the table.

“Of course, he has this jab and he comes forward and he has a good engine, but I have prepared myself for that.