Tyson Fury was ringside to witness Joe Joyce destroy his friend, stablemate, and former heavyweight titleholder Joseph Parker via 11th round knockout.
Immediately following the fight, the WBC champion Fury expressed he was impressed with the juggernaut contender of the division.
"From a fan point of view, and a heavyweight champion myself, it was a very, very entertaining fight. Both men did extremely well, and fair play to Joe Joyce. He took out a very game, strong, fit, and willing Joseph Parker. He's put himself in the top-five with that win in my opinion. I was impressed,” Fury said on his promoter Frank Warren’s digital channel. “I think he beats Anthony Joshua, I think he beats the middleweight [Oleksandr Usyk]. He might have a problem with Deontay Wilder's speed and power.”
When Fury was asked how the 37-year-old, 2016 Olympics silver medalist Joyce (15-0, 14 KOs) would fare against him, his feedback was a lot less positive.
"He wouldn't land one punch on me in 12 rounds. I don't think he could hit me with a f***ing handful of rice. He's a big man, but I'm bigger. He's heavy, but I'm heavier. He's a good fighter, but I'm the best in the world for a reason … I don't think he can lace my boots.”
In an eight-fight span dating back to 2019, Joyce has now beaten former world titlists, touted prospects, and rugged contenders like Daniel Dubois, Carlos Takam, Bryant Jennings, Bermane Stiverne, Christian Hammer, and Parker.
The unretired Fury is currently angling for an all-British blockbuster against Anthony Joshua.
“The Gypsy King” Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) last fought in April and knocked out Dillian Whyte inside six rounds.
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, via email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or on www.ManoukAkopyan.com.
