Joseph Parker 30-2 (21) has said he always wanted to face Joe Joyce 14-0 (13) and that he wants to be remembered as someone who took on everyone in his era.
Negotiations for the fight dragged on and for awhile it looked like the bout wouldn’t come to fruition, but it is now set to takes place at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England on September 24.
“It was the first press conference I have been involved with that was quite fiery,” said Parker to UniBet Lowdown.
“Because of the lead up to making this fight happen there is a lot of frustration from both sides. We were outnumbered at the top but, if (manager) David Higgins was here, he would have had a lot to say.
“Ultimately, it is great the fight is locked in now. We have a date, a venue and there are two guys who want to smash each other’s faces in.”
Joyce has previously said he wants to keep his KO streak alive against Parker, saying he wants to put dents in the former WBO heavyweight champion’s face.
“He can try his best! And I am going to do the same to him. He hasn’t fought anyone like me before. I am confident with the new team that I have – nothing wrong with the old team and we achieved great things together – with Andy Lee in my corner and Tyson supporting and helping me,” Parker said.
“This camp will be by far the best camp I have been involved in. Every other camp was great, but I am going to make this one the best.
“I want to be remembered as a fighter who fought everyone. A lot of people were saying I wasn’t going to fight Joe Joyce and that I was ducking him, but it was the fight that we wanted and it is why we are here.
“Credit to him because he could have just waited, waited for his chance to fight for a world title, but he wants to put it on the line. Both fighters see this as the perfect fight and it is the most challenging fight out there for me and for him.
“It is challenging for me because he hasn’t been beaten and a lot of people think he is invincible and can take every punch out there. They call him the juggernaut, but I will show everyone what I can do in the ring.
“I am not sure what I am going to do. Whether I dance around and jab his head off, put the pressure on him. It will come together with Andy Lee and he is the person to come up with the perfect game plan.
“We execute it well and it will be a great night for Team Parker.”
