Joe Joyce: It Was Tough in There With Parker, I Had To Dig Deep

Top heavyweight contender Joe Joyce (15-0, 14 KOs) admits he went through hell in last Saturday’s fight with former WBO world champion Joseph Parker.

In a very grueling fight, Joyce had to drop Parker, round after round, until a big left hand dropped Parker for the count in the eleventh round.

Joyce’s concrete chin took the biggest punches Parker could land.

Every time Parker seemed to be on the verge of defeat, he would weather the storm and start hitting back in bunches.

Joyce really picked up the pace in the second half of the fight, a huge punching output that eventually led to the first stoppage loss of Parker’s career.

“I’m a little tired. Joseph Parker, what a fighter and what a great fight. I’d like to thank my team and Frank Warren and everyone, my family and friends and all of you for coming,” Joyce said. .

“It was a tough fight and I commend Joseph Parker because he has improved and he gave me a tough fight. I really enjoyed him but it was tough there and I had to dig deep to get through the rounds.”

“I hit him with literally everything I had, the kitchen sink, the bag, everything. Body shots, I tried everything but he kept going, I played and I managed to take him down at the end, but it was hard work.” .”

With the victory, Joyce captured the interim WBO title in the weight class. The state will eventually give him a mandatory world title shot. The full WBO belt is currently held by Oleksandr Usyk, who also has the WBA, IBO and IBF titles around his waist.