Joe Joyce will be an interested spectator when Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker collide on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou.
At the end of 2022, Joyce became the first person to stop Parker, but his joy was short-lived when he was twice stopped by Zhang the following year.
Despite losing to Joyce, Parker has bounced back brilliantly, and he confirmed he’s still a threat at the top level when he outclassed Deontay Wilder last month.
That performance has earned him a showdown with Zhang in March and Joyce, the man who probably knows both fighters better than anyone, has had his say on the bout.
“I’m hopeful Parker can do it. Can beat Zhang and be just that bit smart and skilful than I was, and get in there,” said Joyce when speaking to Seconds Out.
“But Zhang, he’s very accurate, and if he hits him with a good shot, he can put Parker down no problem.”