Parker and Joyce fight to become leading challenger for AJ-Usyk winner

Heavyweight rivals Joseph Parker and Joe Joyce will fight next as they vie to become the leading contender for the Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua winner.

Joyce and Parker are rated the No 1 and No 2 challengers respectively in the ratings for the WBO, whose belt is one of the three Joshua and Usyk will contest in their epic rematch on August 20, live and exclusive on Sky Sports Box Office.

Parker used to hold that WBO belt, losing it to Joshua in 2018. The New Zealander now is determined to become a champion again. Taking on Joyce to position himself for an eventual shot at the title is a crucial step along the way.

"On Saturday September 24, the fans in Manchester will see the very best of me. And Joe Joyce will see exactly why I will become the heavyweight champion of the world again with BOXXER [his promoter]," Parker said.

"I am working hard with my trainer Andy Lee, everything is going smoothly and I truly feel great. I have waited patiently to get this fight on and let me tell you now, the 'Juggernaut's' journey ends right here. He has nowhere to run."

But Joyce is a formidable opponent. An Olympic silver medallist in 2016, he has made a strong, remorseless ascent through the heavyweight division, stopping Daniel Dubois to win the British and European titles as well as defeating gatekeepers like Bryant Jennings, Carlos Takam and most recently Christian Hammer.

"This fight has been a long time in the making," Joyce declared. "Parker realised he had nowhere else to go and eventually had to take this fight. No 1 vs No 2. The winner goes on to fight for the world title. It's going to be a cracking fight and you will see why he tried so hard to avoid me."

Making the Joyce-Parker fight, set for September 24 at the AO