Joe Joyce and Joseph Parker set to finally meet in blockbuster heavyweight clash

Joe Joyce will take on former world champion Joseph Parker on 24 September at the AO Arena in Manchester. The heavyweight collision between No.1 and No.2 in the WBO rankings will represent a shootout to determine who will be made mandatory challenger for the winner of the forthcoming rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua. 
 
Joyce is the holder of the WBO International, WBC Silver and Commonwealth heavyweight titles, having recently relinquished the British. The 36-year-old was last in action at the OVO Arena, Wembley in July, emphatically defeating Christian Hammer via a fourth-round stoppage. 
 
Former WBO world champion Parker won the title in 2016 with a points victory over Andy Ruiz in Auckland. He successfully defended against Razvan Cojanu and Hughie Fury before suffering defeat in a unification battle with Joshua in Cardiff in March 2018. The 30-year-old is currently on a six-fight winning streak following a points loss to Dillian Whyte in July 2018. 
 
"This is a fantastic fight that really keeps the heavyweight ball rolling," said promoter Frank Warren. "It has proved to be a little while in the making, but this is a match between two in-form and quality heavyweights fighting to be first in the queue for a world title shot.”
 
"This fight has been a long time in the making," said Joe Joyce. "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." 
  
“On Saturday, September 24th, the fans in Manchester will see the very best of me,” added Parker. “Joyce will see exactly why I will become the heavyweight champion of the world again with BOXXER. I am working hard with my trainer Andy Lee, everything is going smoothly and I truly feel great.”