It’s fight week people! We’re back in the ever popular Heavyweight division, for the vacant WBO interim title fight between Englishman Joe Joyce and New Zealander Joseph Parker. We’ve asked our go-to-guy for boxing, Adam Roberts, to preview this one and he’s picked out his favourite bets for the occasion.
Joe Joyce vs. Joseph Parker Tips
Where and when is the fight ?
The fight will be at the AO Arena in Manchester, on Saturday September 24th and will be broadcast live and exclusively on BT Sport Box Office. The event will start at 7pm and the ring walks for the main event should begin around 10:30pm. The card is a Frank Warren Queensberry Promotions event.
What fights are on the card?
- MAIN EVENT: Joe Joyce v Joseph Parker – vacant WBO interim heavyweight title
- Amanda Serrano vs Sarah Mahfoud – for WBO, WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring lightweight titles
- Nathan Heaney vs Jack Flatley
- Michael Magnesi vs Anthony Cacace
- Ekow Essuman vs Samuel Antwi
- Mark Heffron vs Martin Ezequiel Bulacio
- Raven Chapman vs Jorgelina Guanini
- Amaar Akbar vs Karlo Wallace
- James Heneghan vs Rod Douglas Jnr
- Callum Thompson vs Delmar Thomas
- Tommy Fletcher vs Toni Visic
What’s been said?
Joyce:
“He’s been to the top of the mountain, he’s the ex-WBO world champion. He’s very skilful and he’s been in the game a long time. He is going to be the most rounded (fighter I’ve faced), he’s got a bit of everything. He’s very skilful. He can punch a bit. He can take a shot. It’s going to be a hard fight.”
Parker:
“Joe Joyce has one style, he’s a lump.”
“Yeah, I will, and I’ll slap you and punch you and everything else.”
Let’s just say these two are hardly Muhammad Ali in the linguist stakes. However, this should be an intriguing fight and is one of those rare modern day fights that is a tough one to pick. I can easily see scenarios where either man could win.
Joyce is a concussive puncher and is relentless in his come forward, march ’em down style. Parker is elusive, has good feet and has looked hugely improved and leaner under new trainer Andy Lee. The winner will become mandatory for Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO strap, so there is a huge amount on the line and credit to both guys for stepping in the ring with, what on paper, looks a dangerous opponent.
Joseph Parker to win – 13/8
I was fairly shocked when I saw the odds line for this one and can only presume it’s down to Joyce’s undefeated record. Now, don’t get me wrong, I like the Juggernaut for his no-nonsense style and he seems a nice enough guy. However, he is incredibly one-dimensional and his hand speed can be comical at times. He’s also got a pretty padded record and his best win is probably over Daniel Dubois.
Joseph Parker has been in with some decent fighters and while he came up short against both Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, he wasn’t knocked out by either and clearly possesses a decent set of whiskers. Despite his much longer 30-2 career, Parker is the younger man by seven years. The 37-year-old Joyce is 14-0, after an amateur career that seemed to go on for ever.
If, and it’s a big if, Parker can follow Andy Lee’s game plan, use his feet and stay out of range of Joyce’s long, powerful levers, he will surely pick up a lot of cheap rounds as the Englishman can tend to look crude and amateurish.
I think Joyce will catch him at some point, but I think the Samoan has enough about him to stay out of trouble in long enough patches to prevent Joyce stopping him. I’m taking the 13/8 on offer for Parker to win on the night.
Joseph Parker to win on points – 3/1
I’m doubling down on my first selection and firmly expect Joseph Parker to win this one on points, probably with a unanimous decision. I can see Parker picking up cheap rounds at the start of the fight before Joyce gets desperate late on and brings the fight a little closer on the cards. The 3/1 looks generous given their respective records and one I’m taking advantage of. Either way it should be a great night of boxing!
