Joe Joyce more motivated than ever to get a fight with the WBO, IBF and WBA heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. Last weekend in Manchester, Joyce scored the most important victory of his professional career by knocking out the former world champion Joseph Parker in the eleventh round. The victory gave Joyce the vacant WBO interim title, which in turn makes him a mandatory contender for Usyk's title.
Usyk already has a victory over Joyce when both were amateurs in 2013. Last month, Usyk defended his titles with a decision victory in a rematch with Anthony Joshua.
“If Usyk doesn’t want to fight me, then he must vacate the belt, and then I will become a full champion. Then I can defend the belt,” Joyce said in an interview with Sky Sports News. - I think I could get him [in a duel] if I could continue to put pressure on him. He's a very technical fighter, but at this level it won't be easy for him."
“This time I will be better prepared and have the best training camp focused only on him. This will be 12 rounds with smaller gloves. Since our meeting as an amateur, I have come a long way. It was a long time ago. It takes 10 years to reach the top in sports. I have already passed it and am still learning, so the audience will have a great fight for all 12 rounds, ”added Joyce.
In the professional ring, Joyce scored 15 victories, 14 of which were by knockout, including an early victory over the current WBA "regular" champion Daniel Dubois. The victory over Parker by knockout was a big signal for the heavyweight division.
“It was my next jump into the elite. Parker is a great fighter, ex-world champion, so it was a big win for me. I think I did a good job and I have a bright future. I have a couple more great fights ahead of me,” Joyce said.
“Big thanks to Joseph Parker, he's a tough guy. I hit him with all my might, and he still managed to return three or four blows to me in response. I had to work hard to defeat him. I didn't have to fight Joseph Parker, but beating him took me to the next level," Joyce added.
