Joe Joyce vs Joseph Parker confirmed, with winner set to challenge Oleksandr Usyk or Anthony Joshua
- Seb Sternik
- 4 August 2022
Britain’s Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce will battle former heavyweight champion Joseph Parker at the Manchester Arena on September 24.
The bout will act as the final eliminator for titles which will be at stake in Anthony Joshua's blockbuster rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
Joyce and Parker were due to square off on July 2 at Wembley Arena, but the plans were put on the back burner, with Parker's trainer Andy Lee going on to become a father that same month.
Instead, Joyce kept up the appearances with a knockout victory over Christian Hammer.
As the number one and two contenders for the WBO title, the Brit and his rival will be next in line to contest for that belt.
Both men are also the number two and three challengers for the WBC title, meaning that championship could come into play should lead contender Deontay Wilder delay his comeback plans.
Parker said: "I am working hard with my trainer Andy Lee, everything is going smoothly and I truly feel great. I have waited patiently to get this fight on and let me tell you now, the 'Juggernaut's' journey ends right here. He has nowhere to run."
Joyce, who has enjoyed a remorseless ascent through the heavyweight ranks, stopped Daniel Dubois to win the British and European championships two years ago.
The 2016 Olympian added: "This fight has been a long time in the making. Parker realised he had nowhere else to go and eventually had to take this fight. Number one versus number two. The winner goes on to fight for the world title. It's going to be a cracking fight and you will see why he tried so hard to avoid me."
