Parker beaten by Joyce to become WBO mandatory challenger

Joe Joyce has beaten former world champion Joseph Parker to win a WBO interim heavyweight title at the Manchester Arena.

No one before had stopped Parker, who has been living and training in Morecambe for the past year, before he the contest was ended with the 30-year-old being knocked out in the 11^th round.

Joyce, 37, is now holds the WBO interim title, and has his sights now on facing the WBO world champion Oleksandr Usyk in 2023.

Morecambe’s heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury, has been Parker’s training partner in the lead up to the fight, and watched the bout ringside.

“(That was) one of the best heavyweight fights you’ll see,” said Fury.

“Credit to both, they both did very very well, the better man won on the night.”

The former WBO Heavyweight Champion from New Zealand has been living in Morecambe and training with his friend Tyson Fury ahead of Saturday's battle with the undefeated 'Juggernaut'.

Parker, 30, is from South Auckland and of Samoan heritage, and has now made Morecambe his home for more than a year since the WBC Heavyweight Champion Fury invited him to the town.

The talented boxer, whose only career defeats are to Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, set up training camp at Fury's gym next to Morecambe Football Club.

"I love it here in Morecambe," said Parker, in an interview with BT Sport (pictured below).

"Firstly I'm very grateful to Tyson and what he's done for myself, and everyone around him. He really looks after everyone.

"I've made Morecambe my home. I really do enjoy it here in Morecambe and I've made a lot of friends."