What is next for Joseph Parker, and when might his return be expected?

I think Parker should always be in the 240s

His speed and movement are key strengths.

He lost the Joyce fight because he forgot this - and then did the same with Wardley.

If he can stay light and mobile, he can still make big noise in this division.

 

He could easily win another belt.

 

Yes - but only if he stops trying to be a brawler

The guys at the very top mostly have good chins

He needs to outpoint them, not try for the KO

 

His last fight aside, his losses were Chisora and Hrgovic. I thought he beat Del and had the Hrg fight on the last round. I do love big JJ, but this might be a chance for JP to avenge his worst defeat because he got battered in that fight. Joyce is still a name and isn't it better in this cutthroat business to fight a name and avenge a defeat than fight a nightclub doorman or the like as a 'warm up'. Comprehensively beating Joyce puts JP back on the map...

...or does the fluttering pulse that still ebbs and flows behind Joyce's eyes cause team Parker concern...?

 

Needs a tuneup before any "name" fighters

Has been out of the ring for a whole year

 

Really ? I thought Hrgovic beat Joyce handily I didn't think the fight was close at all infact I thought it was a near shut out.

Joyce plodded forward all night long eating accurate power punches from Hrgovic.

And looking at the stats they were a landslide in favour of Hrgovic aswell.

Hrgovic outlanded Joyce 253 punches to 140.

And in power punches Hrgovic had a 206 to 73 edge.

Not to mention Hrgovic landed 50 percent of his punches overall and outlanded Joyce in all 10 rounds.

Joyce kept it competitive by keep coming forward being aggressive but Hrgovic did clearly win most of the rounds with clean accurate punching.

Finally the Chisora fight was close but Chisora clearly edged it on the knockdown and landing the more eye catching power punches.

 

You may be right. I definitely thought he beat Del and can honestly remember Hrgovic only pulling away later in the fight. However, as you have pointed out there, even if you had him losing both, he was very competitive in them both. Del is a long time 'top ten(ish)' fighter and Hergy is maybe world number three now...? Not bad people to have lost too. His only loses until his recent capitualtion were big names, dangerous fighters. I think Joe needs to retire. I think that mental capitualtion last time out speaks volumes. You don't play at this game and a fighter with Joyce's attributes will end up badly hurt with long term consequence. We don't want another Danny Williams.

But.

If he's gonna keep playing the game, Frank needs to make him as much money as he can. And Parker is a decent payday, surely?

 

I hear Chisora wants another go with Parker

 

Chisora not a bad option right now

 

Nahh no interest in Chisora 3.... so yes could happen- about as interesting as Chisora v Fury 4

 

Gotta have a tuneup

And this is one of the better options

 

Heard Edward Hearn mention that Joe may get the winner of next month's Huni v Ahio fight.

 

He was never beating Joyce nor Wardley. He's got to be the most overrated boxer in recent times. I can't think of a more overrated boxer. He also arguably lost to a shot and old Chisora and he would never have been given the decision against Ruiz had it not been in New Zealand. He couldn't even put a glove on Cojanu or Hughie Fury.

 

Huni or Ahio - either may work

 

Lmao. You really gonna bring up home side advantage in a razor close fight? Ever seen a boxing match in the US and UK?