There was a tense moment at the press conference for Joe Joyce and Joseph Parker on Wednesday, when Parker confronted a member of Joyce’s management team mid interview and grilled him on prior comments.
Shane Watson of S-Jam boxing was being interviewed by YouTube channel Pro Boxing Fans when the New Zealander gate-crashed the scene and put Watson on the spot.
“You’ve been talking a whole lot of crap. Go on – what have you been saying? You’re saying a lot of crap.”
Watson, who looked visibly shaken by Parker’s intrusion, attempted to defuse the situation by saying he was simply trying to build hype for the fight.
“We’ve all been talking crap – that’s what boxing’s about isn’t it, all about the hype?”
“It’s what everyone does – management, trainers, fighters.”
😂 Joseph Parker sticks it on Team Joyce’s manager Shane Watson at the press conference…#JoyceParker@ProBoxingFanspic.twitter.com/OzwBQcEvSu
— The Boxing Feed (@TheBoxingFeed) September 23, 2022
Parker didn’t seem particularly impressed by the response, but eventually played the confrontation off as a joke when the atmosphere became particularly tense.
It is believed Parker was unhappy about comments from Watson regarding a sparring session with Congolese heavyweight Martin Bakole, with the S-Jam chief operating officer implying Parker was dropped.
Thankfully for all involved in the fight – and Watson particularly – Parker kept a cool ahead and managed to express his anger using only his words.
You can watch the full interview on the Pro Boxing Fans YouTube channel.
With the weigh in completed yesterday, it’s all systems go for the huge heavyweight clash in the Manchester Arena tonight, with fans and pundits alike unable to pick between the two Joe’s in what is a genuine 50/50 fight.
Read our article on how to watch the fight and full undercard details.