05-26-2022, 04:26 PM
Joseph Parker has other options as Joe Joyce fight stalls again
Duncan Johnstone
Heavyweights Joseph Parker and Joe Joyce are still trying to nail down a fight in London
Joseph Parker has other options as his proposed fight with British heavyweight Joe Joyce continues to hit complications.
Originally targeted for a July 2 date at London’s Wembley Arena, Joyce’s promoter Frank Warren is now looking at September.
It’s been a long haul of long distance negotiations, going on since the end of last year and the deal still isn’t done.
“There is no deal, no contract signed,” Parker’s manager Higgins confirmed to Stuff on Thursday.
Hall of Fame promoter Warren has been in the game a long time and should have known his premature announcement of Parker v Joyce during the broadcast of Tyson Fury’s last win over Dillian Whyte in late April was fraught with danger.
Higgins isn’t wet behind the ears in this game either, having put together several world title fights, and knows the power in negotiation comes with having multiple options.
With Parker an elite level heavyweight boasting enviable rankings and now holding free-agent status, there is considerable interest in him.
Joseph Parker needs to keep busy.
“There are other promoters chasing us hard with other good options,” Higgins said.
The Joyce fight still holds appeal and Higgins sensed a deal was close. But the terms would need to be right.
Joyce’s handlers have been wanting a multi-fight deal given the importance of the bout that will act as a WBO eliminator with No 1 ranked Joyce and No 2 Parker sitting behind champion Oleksandr Usyk.
That has placed increased focus on the contract details, with Higgins looking to make sure things are done in the best interest of his fight.
Warren claims the latest complication was Parker’s trainer Andy Lee awaiting the arrival of a baby during the July fight week, putting a question mark over his availability.
Higgins said Parker, now back in Auckland and maintaining his fitness levels after keeping sharp by training with Fury at the WBC champion's base in Morecambe, was a realist. He had hoped for a deal in April, then May, then June to no avail.
“You play the cards you are dealt … Joe’s not complaining,” Higgins said.
Joe Joyce put in a powerful display to demolish fellow British heavyweight Daniel Dubois in February 2020.
Warren is equally frustrated. “It has been dragging on,” he told IFLTV. “We’ve had to push it back now to September.”
Warren said his plan was to keep Joyce busy by setting up another opponent for the July 2 date.
“In the meantime Joe [Joyce] is gonna be out, so we’re looking at a couple of opponents for him.
“Hopefully we’ll have that nailed down in the next 24/48 hours and announce that for July 2.”
Warren still wants the Parker fight to happen in September.
“Providing our man wins, then we’re on, we’ll do it, absolutely,” he said.
Parker’s last fight as his decisive points win in a rematch with Britain’s Dereck Chisora last December.
Joyce hasn’t fought since July last year when he beat Carlos Takam with the 12th knockout of his 13-fight professional career.
Duncan Johnstone
Heavyweights Joseph Parker and Joe Joyce are still trying to nail down a fight in London
Joseph Parker has other options as his proposed fight with British heavyweight Joe Joyce continues to hit complications.
Originally targeted for a July 2 date at London’s Wembley Arena, Joyce’s promoter Frank Warren is now looking at September.
It’s been a long haul of long distance negotiations, going on since the end of last year and the deal still isn’t done.
“There is no deal, no contract signed,” Parker’s manager Higgins confirmed to Stuff on Thursday.
Hall of Fame promoter Warren has been in the game a long time and should have known his premature announcement of Parker v Joyce during the broadcast of Tyson Fury’s last win over Dillian Whyte in late April was fraught with danger.
Higgins isn’t wet behind the ears in this game either, having put together several world title fights, and knows the power in negotiation comes with having multiple options.
With Parker an elite level heavyweight boasting enviable rankings and now holding free-agent status, there is considerable interest in him.
Joseph Parker needs to keep busy.
“There are other promoters chasing us hard with other good options,” Higgins said.
The Joyce fight still holds appeal and Higgins sensed a deal was close. But the terms would need to be right.
Joyce’s handlers have been wanting a multi-fight deal given the importance of the bout that will act as a WBO eliminator with No 1 ranked Joyce and No 2 Parker sitting behind champion Oleksandr Usyk.
That has placed increased focus on the contract details, with Higgins looking to make sure things are done in the best interest of his fight.
Warren claims the latest complication was Parker’s trainer Andy Lee awaiting the arrival of a baby during the July fight week, putting a question mark over his availability.
Higgins said Parker, now back in Auckland and maintaining his fitness levels after keeping sharp by training with Fury at the WBC champion's base in Morecambe, was a realist. He had hoped for a deal in April, then May, then June to no avail.
“You play the cards you are dealt … Joe’s not complaining,” Higgins said.
Joe Joyce put in a powerful display to demolish fellow British heavyweight Daniel Dubois in February 2020.
Warren is equally frustrated. “It has been dragging on,” he told IFLTV. “We’ve had to push it back now to September.”
Warren said his plan was to keep Joyce busy by setting up another opponent for the July 2 date.
“In the meantime Joe [Joyce] is gonna be out, so we’re looking at a couple of opponents for him.
“Hopefully we’ll have that nailed down in the next 24/48 hours and announce that for July 2.”
Warren still wants the Parker fight to happen in September.
“Providing our man wins, then we’re on, we’ll do it, absolutely,” he said.
Parker’s last fight as his decisive points win in a rematch with Britain’s Dereck Chisora last December.
Joyce hasn’t fought since July last year when he beat Carlos Takam with the 12th knockout of his 13-fight professional career.