Joe Joyce’s intriguing encounter with Joseph Parker has been delayed until later in the year. The heavyweight pair were set to square off in July, but that contest is now off the schedule due to Andy Lee, Parker’s trainer, being unavailable to coach his charge as his wife is set to give birth on the week of the proposed contest.
Parker would represent the biggest test of Joyce’s career up to this point. The New Zealander, a former world champion, has enjoyed a brilliant run form as of late with two wins over Derek Chisora and a points victory against Junior Fa. Frank Warren, who is the promoter for this particular fight, is expecting the bout to take place in September.
“We got it done and it was all good to go for July,” said Warren when speaking to IFLTV.
“There was a problem and that is that Joe Parker can’t fight because his trainer Andy Lee’s wife has a baby due apparently on the week of the fight, so he can’t train.
“We’ve had to push it back now to September, but in the meantime, Joe is gonna be out. So, we’re looking at a couple of opponents for him. Hopefully, we’ll have that nailed down in the next 24/48 hours and announce that for July 2. Providing our man wins, then we’re on, we’ll do it. It’s not our fault, we wanted the fight, Joe wanted the fight. Unfortunately, it’s Parker who’s not available.”