Joe Joyce picked up the interim WBO heavyweight title in Manchester on Saturday, defeating Joseph Parker in the 11th round of a very good heavyweight battle between two legitimate contenders.
Joyce (15-0, 14 KOs) has his sights primarily set on facing Oleksandr Usyk next, as Usyk holds not only the WBO title, but also the WBA and IBF belts, but says he is also set to take on Tyson Fury, who holds the WBC title despite his supposed retirement, which comes with constant talk of who he fights next.
On the win over Joseph Parker
“I’m over the moon, it’s great, man! That was a tough fight. I got over it. I trained hard for this, just like Joseph Parker. I’m quite happy with my performance. I think I have to watch it again to see what I have to improve. I mean, I always take pictures, but I guess it’s exciting to watch.”
About what message do you think you sent to Fury or Usyk
“I’m here. ‘The Juggernaut’ is here, honey. [laughing] Stop talking. Little by little improving, I hope! But yes.”
at the end of the fight
“What a tough guy! It’s tough: he was hitting it with everything and, like, I saw the cut open up and I thought maybe the ref could take a look at it, but he just stood there. He was just trying to take him down: body shot after body shot, head shot after head shot. What a tough guy. A warrior. Much respect to him.”
Being told it was a left hook that ended: “Oh yeah, sick. Yeah, I’ll have to watch it again.”
On whether Parker hurt him
“Yeah, there are some shots that, if I go back and try to remember, yeah, he’s a tough guy, and tough shots as well. I really had to dig in and push forward, because he was really tough and he fought to the end.”
On what he said to Parker after the fight
“It’s just respect. I could shake his hand now, because the fight is over and we could be nice again.”
About what might come next
“I will fight Tyson Fury, no problem, but I hope Usyk is next. …Usyk! Let’s do it, my friend.”
