Joe Joyce stops Joseph Parker in thrilling heavyweight scrap in Manchester

Joe Joyce picked up arguably the biggest win of his career on Saturday night as he dispatched of Joseph Parker to claim the WBO interim heavyweight title.

The 37-year-old took his record to 15-0 after stopping former world champion Parker in the penultimate stanza of their twelve round contest at Manchester’s AO Arena.

The Briton dropped Parker heavily in the eleventh round before the fight was waved off by referee Steve Gray as he counted out the New Zealander.

Joyce, 37, now has another piece of silverware to add to his collection although the title he won is only the interim version as Oleksandr Usyk – who beat Anthony Joshua again in August – is the current champion.

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As expected Parker refused to go down without a fight, but Joyce’s superior gas tank proved the difference.

The Juggernaut set a fast pace during the bout and became the first man to stop Parker in 33 fights.

Joyce made sure to wave to the crowds as he left the arena with barely a scratch on his face.

And with WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in attendance, it seems a matter of time until Joyce will be sharing the ring with ‘The Gypsy King’ and old rival Usyk.

After the fight he said: “I’m a little bit tired.

“Joseph Parker, what a great fighter, what a great fight.

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“I’d just like to thank my team and Frank Warren and everyone and my family and friends and all you guys for turning up.

“It was a tough fight and praise to Joseph Parker because he’s improved and improving and he gave me such a tough fight.

“I really enjoyed it, it was tough in there and