Parker: I’ll be too slick for Joyce
Joseph Parker has vowed to ‘‘break down’’ British rival Joe Joyce as their highly anticipated heavyweight clash takes shape.
There is still much to be done on the finer details of the fight contract, but everything points to a July 3 showdown at Wembley’s 12,500-seat indoor arena in London.
Parker and Joyce were ringside for Tyson Fury’s knockout win over Dillian Whyte at Wembley’s main stadium last weekend and garnered plenty of attention as their fight was prematurely announced.
They even got to square up for a friendly face-off, but there is plenty of intent behind the good-natured pair who have the WBO’S mandatory position up for grabs.
New Zealander Parker, on a run of six wins including consecutive points victories over the rugged Dereck Chisora, paid Joyce a compliment or two but was firm in his belief that he would be positioning himself for another shot at the WBO belt he held for 16 months from December 2016.
‘‘He’s a big solid guy ... but I’m going to break him down,’’ Parker said as the two rivals chatted with Everythingboxing.
‘‘He’s got a lot of good things that he does, he’s got a good engine, a good chin. But I’m too fast, I’m too slick.’’
Joyce (13-0) has recovered from a broken wrist to return to sparring and says he will train in Las Vegas for the Parker fight.
He admitted he was impressed by Parker’s last win over Chisora that took the Kiwi’s record to 30-2.
‘‘Parker looked very good in his last fight against Chisora. He looked very strong in that,’’ Joyce told Boxing Social.
‘‘He’s got the skills and the defensive abilities to cause problems for me, so it’s going to be a great fight.
‘‘Apart from the top four, this is the best fight. I’m ranked No1 with the WBO and he’s ranked No2, so there’s no better fight out there for the both of us.
’’It’s not 100% done yet, but it’s pretty much there. Both myself and Parker want it.’’
Parker has remained in Britain since his December win over Chisora, building on his relationship with new trainer Andy Lee and benefiting from working in Fury’s camp.