Joseph Parker is close to signing a deal to fight Joe Joyce at Wembley Arena in June.
1news.co.nz reported the story yesterday and added that the New Zealander could also pen a one or two-fight agreement with Joyce’s promoter Frank Warren.
Parker and Joyce have been linked to a fight against one another in recent months but over the past week the Brit has turned his attention to former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. ‘The Juggernaut’ and ‘AJ’ have exchanged some verbals on Twitter and while Warren says he would be happy to make the fight it seems like Joyce will face Parker instead.
The unbeaten Joyce is the number one contender with the WBO but will have to wait for his shot at the current champion Olekandr Usyk. The Ukrainian recently returned home to join in the fight against Russia’s invasion of his country. That leaves a three-belt title picture up in the air and the likes of Joshua and Joyce looking for fights in the meantime. The WBC heavyweight title will be defended by Tyson Fury against Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium on April 23.
Parker is one spot behind Joyce in both the WBO and WBC rankings at two and three, respectively. The 30-year-old free agent has won back-to-back fights against Dereck Chisora recently and particularly impressed in their rematch three months ago.
Joyce who has been recovering from a wrist injury had hoped to be back out sooner than June. The 36-year-old last fought in July last year stopping a game Carlos Takam in six rounds.