Joe Joyce v Joseph Parker predictions and boxing betting tips: Joyce outclassed

Free boxing tips, best bets and analysis for Joe Joyce v Joseph Parker from the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday night.

Where to watch

BT Sport Box Office, approx. 10.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Joseph Parker
2pts 13-8 general

Joyce v Parker preview

Two Joes go toe-to-toe when Joe Joyce and Joseph Parker get in on in Manchester on Saturday night.

It's an interesting and decent heavyweight clash and the winner of the contest will become the mandatory challenger to Oleksandr Usyk's WBO world title.

That's a belt that Parker held after beating Andy Ruiz for the vacant strap in 2016 and the Kiwi made two successful defences against Hughie Fury and Razvan Cojanu. The 30-year-old lost his world title to Anthony Joshua and the only other defeat on the New Zealander's card came against fellow Briton Dillian Whyte.

AJ is a top-level heavyweight, and although the defeat to the Bodysnatcher was a little disappointing, it came just three months after the Joshua loss and the preparation wasn't anywhere near the required level.

It has always looked as though there was room for improvement in Parker's tactics and training and at the age of 30 there is still time for progress under the tutelage of impressive coach Andy Lee.

The Kiwi has still been good enough to beat Hughie Fury, Dereck Chisora twice, Alexander Dimitrenko and Carlos Takam and we may get a better version of the South Auckland slugger on Saturday night.

Joyce is a likeable, durable and tough heavyweight. The Juggernaut's relentless pressure has accounted for Takam and Christian Hammer in his short pro career.

The Putney puncher's professional record is highlighted by a stoppage triumph over Daniel Dubois and that is certainly an impressive victory.

However, Dynamite lacked the required physicality and experience to deal with Joyce and that is unlikely to be the case against Parker.

The Kiwi is rugged and strong and it shouldn't be as easy for the Juggernaut to bully and walk through the South Auckland man.

Inactivity and injury is also a cause for concern for Joyce punters. The Putney man has fought only once since he got the better of Takam in July 2021, and at 37 years of age, time isn't on the Briton's side.

Until now Joyce's almost relentless robotic march through opponents has served him well, but the Putney puncher has little or no head movement and he is an easy target to hit.

That is going to catch up with the 37-year-old at some point and, at 13-8, it could pay to back Parker to stand firm against the Juggernaut on Saturday night.

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