Boxing Fight: Joe Joyce’s heavyweight challenger Joseph Parker has taunted him by telling the British fighter that some of the spectators at Manchester’s AO Arena will be rooting for him.
The two square off in a highly anticipated matchup on Saturday, and the victor advances to a 2023 world title opportunity.
Although Joyce, a native of London, is the opponent, most of his fights have taken place in the city, and this will be his first appearance in the Manchester arena.
Parker, a native of New Zealand, will be aiming for his fourth straight victory at the arena, and because he has spent most of the past 18 months living in Morecambe, he believes a sizable Lancashire fan base, including his “brother” Tyson Fury, will be rooting for him this weekend.
“That is my arena. Three wins, Hughie (Fury), Derek (Chisora) and Derek again, so I’m going to make it four,” Parker (30-2, 21KOs) told the PA news agency.
“I know the UK supporters have been very good to me, very welcoming so I feel this is another home for me.
“I do know when I fight one of their own, they always support their own but there will be some I have taken as my own and will be cheering for me.
“I am looking forward to putting on a great show.”
Joseph Parker will be fighting in the UK for the sixth time, with his most memorable fight occurring in 2018 at the Principality Stadium, where he lost to Anthony Joshua on points in a world title match.
Since the coronavirus outbreak, the 30-year-old has spent most of his time in England thanks to his great friendship with Tyson Fury. Fury, who has already said he plans to retire, will face Joshua later this year in an all-British blockbuster fight.
Parker said of his training partner: “Tyson is at most training sessions, we go for runs and he’s in the gym.
“He lets Andy (Lee) teach me, train me and come up with game plans but he adds his advice when and where he can. When he is in the gym, he brings this positive vibe and good energy so it is always good to have Tyson in the gym. In his own gym that I have now made my own!
“It will be good to see (Fury vs Joshua). Tyson has retired multiple times and come back multiple times but I think he will be here a while in the boxing game. He still has a lot to give.”
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