Joe Joyce and Joseph Parker finally do battle this weekend at the Manchester Arena. Joyce has been in imperious form since turning pro in 2017, beating everyone put in front of him with all but one of his 14 opponents falling before the final bell. Former WBO world champion Parker is by far the toughest opponent to square up with the ‘Juggernaut’ though and this fight has all the ingredients to be a thrilling showdown.
Elsewhere on a busy night in the north west, the legendary Amanda Serrano returns to the ring for the first time since her defeat to Katie Taylor earlier this year, and the Puerto Rican is looking to unify the IBF, WBC and WBO women's featherweight titles against Sarah Mahfoud.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Where: Manchester Arena, Manchester
When: Saturday 24th September, 2022
How To Watch: BT Sport Box Office. The main card will begin at 7pm with ring walks for Joyce and Parker expected at approximately 10pm.
Tale Of The Tape:
Joyce
Place Of Birth: Putney, London, UK
Residence: London, UK
Age: 37
Alias: Juggernaut
Record: 14-0 (13)
Height: 6’6’’
Reach: 80’’
Stance: Orthodox
Last Fight: The Juggernaut stopped Christian Hammer inside four rounds at the Wembley Arena in July.
Parker
Place Of Birth: South Auckland, New Zealand
Residence: Morecambe, Lancashire, UK
Age: 30
Alias: Lupesoliai La'auliolemalietoa
Record: 30-2 (21)
Height: 6’4’’
Reach: 76’’
Stance: Orthodox
Last Fight: Parker was in action at the Manchester Arena last December, claiming a second consecutive win over Derek Chisora by unanimous decision. The first bout with ‘Del Boy’ was won by split decision seven months prior.
What They Say:
Parker: "That is my arena. Three wins, Hughie (Fury), Derek (Chisora) and Derek again, so I'm going to make it four.
"I know the UK supporters have been very good to me, very welcoming so I feel this is another home for me.
"I do know when I fight one of their own, they always support their own but there will be some I have taken as my own and will be cheering for me.”
Joyce: "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. No 1 vs No 2.
"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!"
Full Fight Card:
Joe Joyce vs Joseph Park, WBO interim world heavyweight title
Amanda Serrano vs Sarah Mahfoud, WBC, WBO, IBF, IBO world featherweight titles
Michael Magnesi vs Anthony Cacace, IBO super-featherweight title
Ekow Essuman vs Samuel Antwi, BBBofC British welterweight title
Nathan Heaney vs Jack Flatley, IBO international middleweight title
Raven Chapman vs Jorgelina Guanini, vacant WBC international featherweight title
Mark Heffron vs Martin Ezequiel Bulacio, super-middleweight
James Heneghan vs Rod Douglas Jr, middleweight
Callum Thompson vs Delmar Thomas, lightweight
Amaar Akbar vs Karlo Wallace, super-lightweight
Betfred Odds*:
Joyce: 4/7
Draw: 20/1
Parker: 7/5
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
