After a lackluster fight weekend last week, I expect some good action to come from the UK this Saturday, September 24. Two heavyweights will headline an ESPN+ broadcast when Joe Joyce and Joseph Parker square off for #1 contender status in the WBO world rankings.
I think this fight will deliver, so let’s see what picks and betting value we can find.
Joe Joyce vs. Joseph Parker time and TV details
Date: Saturday, September 24
Main card: 7 p.m. BST / 1 p.m. ET
Main event ringwalks (approx): 10 p.m. BST / 5 p.m. ET
TV Network (US): ESPN+
Venue: AO Arena, Manchester, England
Joyce vs. Parker prediction and picks
These two men have been going at it on social media. Now Joe Joyce and Joseph Parker will finally meet in what has the potential to be a very beautiful, violent, heavyweight affair.
Joyce (14-0, 13 KOs) has looked like a bouldering Mack truck since becoming a professional in 2017. However, this fight with Parker will be his toughest to date. Parker (30-2, 21 KOs) is a former world champion and now looks to earn the chance to become a two-time titleholder, as the winner of this bout will become the mandatory challenger to Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO world heavyweight title.
Since turning pro, Joyce has knocked out every opponent he has faced save Bryant Jennings. The 2016 Olympic heavyweight silver medalist is a battering ram. He is methodical, patient, and has power in both hands. “Juggernaut” is more than willing to exchange and get hurt, because in all likelihood, the pain he causes you is more than the pain you’ll cause. He has gone on an impressive run recently, stopping the likes of Christian Hammer, Carlos Takam and Daniel Dubios.
Parker has been to the mountaintop. He defeated Andy Ruiz in 2016 to win the WBO world title. Since then, it has been a mixed bag of results. He has suffered losses to Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, but also defeated Derek Chisora twice.
At 37, Joyce, odd as it is, is the fresher fighter. I think he’s the more in-form fighter, too. That said, his window to win a world title is shorter than the 30-year-old Parker’s.
Joyce is only a -225 favorite to win, which is solid to me. I think he should be favored a bit more. I think he will prove to be more powerful and, just like in his other fights, will methodically break down Parker. My prediction is for Joyce to win by stoppage in the later rounds.
Pick: Joyce by stoppage (+210) at DraftKings Sportsbook
