Joe Joyce v Christian Hammer

[Spicoli]

Exactly what you like to see. Try not to go overboard but heavyweights sorting it out at varying levels. The very top, two top contenders and then a Hrgovic v Zhang, whatever that qualifies as. Now we just need Wilder and Ruiz to pull up their big boy pants and get busy.

Feels odd referring to Joyce as a "young" prospect but I've become a fan. Think it's a perfect case of now or never taking on Parker. Really fun fight on paper, I think Joyce can pull it off with that telephone poll jab in a hard scrap.

[Master]

I agree Joyce is the best of the rest and will take on whoever is left from Fury v AJ/Usyk.

Dubois is taking on Trevor Bryan, Don King fighter.

[Memphis]

Really interesting fight this. I can't wait for all the basement dwellers to kick into gear. Joyce is slow, fights like he's under water blah blah blah. Boxing fans are as predictable as they are stupid.

I think Joyce probably grinds Parker down. It's what he does. Despite what is it a 6 year age gap? Joyce is the fresher, less miles on the clock. Parker almost exclusively has to do things the long way around and with Joyce the long way around seems longer than normal.

It seems to be the norm with Joyce fights. An opponent who might, maybe ought to be able to stick and move his way to the win. But probably won't.

[Master]

The winner of Joe Joyce's showdown with Joseph Parker could face unbeaten heavyweight Frank Sanchez for the WBO world title, says the Cuban's co-manager Mike Borao.

Britain's Joyce will be looking to extend his 13-0 unbeaten record against former world champion Parker on July 2 at Wembley Arena, in a meeting of the WBO's No 1 and No 2 contenders.

Whoever emerges victorious would be in line to challenge for the WBO belt, which is currently held by Oleksandr Usyk, but Borao expects this title to be relinquished after the Ukrainian's rematch with Anthony Joshua this summer.

"I really believe that ultimately Frank will fight the winner of Joyce and Parker for a vacant WBO title," said Borao, who guides Sanchez's career with fellow co-manager Lupe Valencia.

"I don't think Joyce or Parker are big enough names to entice the eventual winner of Usyk vs Joshua, so Frank [ranked at No 3 by the WBO] will probably land on the winner of that fight for a first world title."

Could Sanchez also target Fury's title?
Sanchez, who enjoyed a successful amateur career before turning professional in 2017, has amassed a 20-0 record with 13 knockouts, with his two most recent victories coming against notable opponents in Efe Ajagba and Christian Hammer.

The 29-year-old's impressive record has also lifted him to fourth in the WBC rankings, with the belt currently in the possession of Tyson Fury following last month's Wembley win over Dillian Whyte.

Fury has insisted that he intends to retire following his brutal stoppage victory, which would leave Sanchez as one of the top contenders for what could become another vacant belt.

"Fury is the ultimate salesman," Borao added. "Who knows if Tyson really will retire?"

"Either way, I don't think WBC will jump out and strip him immediately, so I think the Frank question regarding WBC still has time to marinate.

"The WBO route is much more likely for early 2023, in my view. One thing is for sure, Frank Sanchez is well positioned to fight for and win a world title in 2023."

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/boxi...d06b0a0c15c83e

[Master]

Parker's last two fights saw him pick up wins over Derek Chisora, as the former world champion showed improvements under new trainer Andy Lee. Still relatively young compared to his other heavyweight challengers at 30 years old, Parker is looking to jump straight back into the world title picture - which is looking positive as he ranks within the top three in the WBC and WBO.
Announced at Tyson Fury's fight, it looked as though the South Auckland native would be facing Joe Joyce.

Yet with contract talks seeming to have stalled, Parker and his team are looking for another opponent in the meantime - and the fighter of choice would be former opponent Dillian Whyte. The pair shared a 2018 classic which saw both fighters hit the canvas as Whyte claimed a hard fought win. Speaking to Sky Sports on the potential rematch, Parker's manager David Higgins believes that now is the best time for the rematch to take place.
"We've made it clear at all times we'd fight Dillian Whyte then, or now. That stands now because Joseph would love to fight Dillian Whyte. That would be a blockbuster pay-per-view.

"It was a war. It was the heavyweight fight of the year. "It's really up to the Whyte camp I think, to signal if they are willing to have that rematch. "There is no better time for a rematch between Joseph Parker and Dillian Whyte. "Joseph is an elite heavyweight and he's got unfinished business with Dillian Whyte, so to stop Dillian Whyte on worldwide TV would be a nice step back towards the heavyweight world title, which is every heavyweight goal. "I already know that Joseph would gladly jump back in with Dillian Whyte. Anytime, anywhere. The real question is - 'is Dillian Whyte up for it? because we've got no time to dither." With the British heavyweight coming off the back off his loss to Fury, it seemed as though he shared a mutual interest in the fight with Parker.

Whyte posted an Instagram story reading: "I just want the biggest fights at this stage in my career. Let's go. Put hands on you once and will do it again." Despite the back-and-forth between the heavyweights, Higgins revealed that Parker's future is still unclear, with the Joyce fight remaining in the picture. "There are other options on the table. The Joe Joyce fight would also be a cracker. "There's no contract, but that Joyce fight is close to being contracted and the date has been discussed. "Either one, Joe Joyce or Dillian Whyte would be a big blockbuster event."

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/boxi...51a089bb84bd2a

[Master]

Deontay Wilder has been urged to fight undefeated British heavyweight Joe Joyce when he returns to the ring.

Wilder, 36, has not fought since being knocked out in his thrilling trilogy bout against Tyson Fury last October. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ is plotting another world title charge, however, recent confirming he will ‘continue his journey’ in the sport.

Fury insists he is retired from boxing, even backing Wilder to take his place in an undisputed title fight against the winner of Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua II.

The American has retained his no1 rank with the WBC despite defeats in his last two outings with Frank Warren suggesting a meeting with no2 Joyce makes perfect sense.

Joyce was set to fight no3 ranked fighter Joseph Parker this summer in a fight that has now been pushed back to September.

‘He was in gruelling fights with Tyson. The last one was a classic,’ Warren said of Wilder to IFL TV.

‘When you talk about the best fights of the last 20 years, that fight [Fury-Wilder III] certainly is one of them.

‘I don’t know what he’s got left…. he’s a dangerous man and he can punch, ask Tyson. So if he’s got something to give, good luck to him, we welcome him back. Him and Joe Joyce, what a great fight that would be. Who would you rather see him fight than Joe Joyce?

‘You want to see him [Wilder] fight Dillian Whyte? I’d much rather see him fight Joe Joyce; [I] don’t want to see two losers fight, I’d rather see him fight a winner, and he’d be fighting for the number-one spot.’

36-year-old Joyce is still slated to fight on 2 July despite the Parker fight being postponed. The Putney heavyweight has wins over Carlos Takam and British rival Daniel Dubois in his last two outings.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/boxi...d0a28b21f1651d

[Master]

Parker avoids Joyce by signing with Sky.

Former boxing world champion Joseph Parker has signed a deal with Sky Sports and BOXXER to become one of their star names as the Kiwi fighter vowed to lift another world title under the group's guidance.

The 30-year-old has been training with close friend Tyson Fury, preparing him for his heavyweight clash against Dillian Whyte before beating his British rival at Wembley Stadium in April, and now he is turning his attentions to restoring his own career.

Parker held the WBO belt until 2018, when he lost it to British star Anthony Joshua in a unification bout at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, but he is now eager to return to the summit of the sport after putting pen to paper with Sky and Ben Shalom, who has taken over as the exclusive promoter with the broadcaster.

Parker said: 'In signing with Ben Shalom and BOXXER I'm excited for the next phase of my career, where I will become a two-time world champion on Sky Sports, the best TV platform in sports.

'I've had a great relationship with Sky Sports in the past, with many great fight nights against the leading British heavyweights - I'll fight absolutely anyone put in front of me.'

Shalom, speaking before Richard Riakporhe's cruiserweight clash against Fabio Turchi at Wembley Arena, called it a 'massive signing', calling Parker one of the best heavyweights in the world.

'This is a massive signing for BOXXER. Joe Parker is one of the best heavyweights in world boxing and we are delighted to welcome him to the team.

'Every ranking body has him high in their list and now he's entering his prime, we look forward to taking him back to world title opportunities and some huge events here in the UK.'

Adam Smith, Sky's head of Boxing called it a 'major' deal for the heavyweight division and tipped him to lift a world title again.

'I am absolutely thrilled that Joseph is joining the new era of Sky and BOXXER,' he said. 'This is a major announcement in the heavyweight division!

'I have known Joe for years - he has always brought entertainment and will fight anyone. Moreover he is a charming gentleman and is revered over on our shores just like he is in New Zealand. We will get right behind Joe as he aims to become heavyweight champion all over again!'

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/boxi...id=msedgntphdr