Joyce vs. Parker: Joe Joyce put on a terrific performance to become the first to stop former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker in Manchester.
“The Big Juggernaut” turned out to be just that, as the Olympic silver medalist dealt damage between Parker’s best shots.
After a close first round, Joyce won the next two rounds as Parker worked hard to stay in the fight.
As he entered the room, Parker looked exhausted, but he managed to recover and make the fight look even closer than it was.
Joyce began to take over through five and opened a cut over one eye as Parker’s other began to swell. It seemed like a matter of time when Parker’s friend, Tyson Fury, grimaced at ringside.
At 37, Joyce can’t waste time after earning a spot against Oleksandr Usyk in 2023. His devastating 11th-round finish proves that Joyce will be a tough nut to crack.
If it happens, Usyk will have all the trouble he can handle against a relentless, granite-chinned 270-pound monster.
Results of the Joyce vs. Parker PPV undercard
Michael Magnesi gave a good account of himself against a superior fighter in Anthony Cacace. However, the Italian was unable to get past the man from Belfast the entire time.
While constantly taking down Cacace, Magnesi got caught up in the road too much, especially with flashy hooks from both hands.
After twelve close rounds, Cacace obtained the decision, although it was not without controversy.
Scorecards in the UK have their detractors at the moment. However, the Italian visitor Magnesi took an unfathomable letter against the local fighter.
The judges delivered 117-11 and 116-112 for Cacace in an easy decision. Somehow, a judge saw it 116-112 in favor of Magnesi.
An investigation must follow into how that happened.
Serrano wins
Amanda Serrano barely broke a sweat as the seven-weight world champion added the IBF featherweight title to her WBC and WBO versions.
The Puerto Rican beheaded a determined Sarah Mahfoud to further unify the division.
When the final bell rang, the judges gave everything for Serrano 99-92 and 97-93 [twice].
The Nathan Heaney vs. Jack Flatley fight was called off prematurely after a nasty clash of heads in the fifth round. The competition was heating up when Flatley entered Heaney as the “Hitman” moved into position to shoot.
A massive cut immediately opened over Heaney’s right eye. The ringside doctor did not hesitate to cancel the fight.
Heaney will need a lot of stitches and maybe some plastic surgery for the horrible cut on her eyebrow.
As more than four rounds had passed, the fight went onto the scorecards. Heaney won by margins of 50-45 and 49-46 [twice]. A small disservice to Flatley’s efforts.
WBN editor Phil Jay has over ten years of boxing news experience. He follows WBN on Facebook @officialworldboxingnews, Instagram and Twitter @worldboxingnews.
