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Former world champion Parker squared off against rising star Joyce in a battle that would define his future. The kiwi was stopped for the first time in his career and suffered his third defeat in the process. However, the former world champion, who stunned the heavyweight division with his commanding victory over Deontay Wilder, has expressed a desire for retribution.
British titan Joe Joyce seemed unbeatable going into the contest because of his powerful jaw, which occasionally seemed to serve as defence. The bout, which at times devolved into a bit of a brawl, was intended initially to pit Parker's skill and undeniable ring IQ against Joyce's might and steel.
Parker's strategy was clear early on. To outbox Joyce, using his quick movement and jabs, but Joyce's fortitude was far too great as he spent the fight countering the New Zealander.
There was a turning point in the fight when Joyce clearly shook Parker with a series of punches as the former world champions defence was broken down and in the eleventh round, the Brit got the stoppage, becoming the third Brit to defeat parker after Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, but unlike his countrymen, he became the first beat him by stoppage.
The defeat to Joe Joyce marked a turning point in Joseph Parker's career. Far from signaling an end, it ignited a fiery determination within the Kiwi to climb back to the top of the game, and while his first few fights post-defeat were against lower-tier competition, they were crucial for his comeback.
The pinnacle of his comeback and most notably was the fight against Deontay Wilder in December of last year. Wilder needs no introduction, the American is one of, if not the most dangerous Heavyweight there has ever been when it comes to power. So it was no suprise that Parker stepped into the ring as an underdog, but what transpired was a display of tactical brilliance as he outmaneuvered Wilder with phenominal footwook, dominating the entire fight and even had the 'Bronze Bomber' scrambling at times, in a shutout points victory. This victory was a loud statement to the boxing world that Joseph Parker was far from finished.
Joseph Parker left the ring as victor against one dangerous KO artist, and enters the ring straight away with another. Interestingly on another Anthony Joshua card, a man Parker eyes up for a future rematch and more interestingly, he will be facing a man Joe Joyce knows all too well.
This won't be an easy test for Parker, who will be in danger of suffering the same fate as his rival Joyce, if he does not enter the ring with the right gameplan. Joseph Parker today is a different fighter from the one who faced Joe Joyce and that was made clear in the Wilder victory, but he can not overlook Zhang and the dangers he faces.
Tides turned when Joyce faced Zhilei Zhang, a formidable opponent who would later become Parker's next challenge where the two will match up on the Anthony Johsua vs Francis Ngannou undercard.
The fights against Zhang were a significant test for Joyce. Zhang, known for his knockout power, proved to be a challenge that Joyce struggled to overcome. In both encounters, Joyce was unable to match Zhang's intensity and power and found himself being stopped on both occasions, proving to be huge set backs, on a career seemingly destined for world titles.
These losses, particularly to a boxer who is now set to face Parker, add an intriguing dimension to the narrative of a potential Parker-Joyce rematch. It would raise questions about Joyce's current status in the division and for Parker, Zhang's victories over Joyce could provide insights into strategies for a potential rematch with Joyce, beating the man that beat Joyce twice would be huge for the narrative of a rematch.
It remains to be seen what will be, and in boxing you never know. Parker has to set his eyes on his current test first, before turning his attention to Joyce. Should he beat the Chinaman, would you like to see him avenge his loss, or would you rather he pursuit other challenges? Let us know in the comments below!