Joseph Parker once suffered a brutal defeat to a British fighter, but both boxers’ careers took unexpected turns

A Shocking Defeat That Changed the Trajectory of Two Heavyweight Careers

In the brutal world of heavyweight boxing, one fight can reshape everything. That is exactly what happened when Joseph Parker, the New Zealand fan favorite and former WBO world heavyweight champion, stepped into the ring with Joe Joyce in September 2022. The outcome was devastating: Parker suffered a brutal knockout loss in the 11th round, and to many observers, it looked like the end of his career at the elite level.

But what unfolded afterward shocked the boxing world. Instead of fading away, Parker rebuilt his career and has positioned himself once again at the doorstep of glory. Meanwhile, Joyce, who looked unstoppable after beating Parker, saw his career take an entirely unexpected and disappointing turn.

As Parker prepares to face Fabio Wardley on October 25, 2025, at London’s O2 Arena in what could be a defining fight on his road to Oleksandr Usyk and the undisputed heavyweight championship, it’s worth revisiting that pivotal night in Manchester and understanding how the fortunes of both men dramatically changed.

The Fateful Night: Parker vs. Joyce in Manchester

On September 24, 2022, Joseph Parker entered the AO Arena in Manchester full of confidence. He was fighting for the interim WBO heavyweight title, a belt that could have put him back in the mix for world championship glory.

His opponent, the undefeated British powerhouse Joe Joyce, was known for his granite chin, relentless pressure, and overwhelming size. Many analysts viewed Parker as the slicker, more experienced boxer, but Joyce’s durability and relentless engine made him a dangerous proposition for anyone.

For ten grueling rounds, Parker traded blows with Joyce. He landed clean shots, even managed to cut Joyce above the eye, but nothing seemed to deter the British juggernaut. Then, in the 11th round, disaster struck. Joyce connected with a thudding left hook that sent Parker crashing to the canvas. He couldn’t beat the referee’s count.

It was Parker’s first knockout loss in his career, and the images of him sprawled on the mat left many questioning whether the 30-year-old New Zealander had any future at the top of the heavyweight division.

The Immediate Aftermath: Joyce’s Rise, Parker’s Fall

For Joe Joyce, the victory over Parker seemed to be a career-launching moment. He had beaten a former world champion in dominant fashion and established himself as the WBO’s interim champion. British media hailed him as the next great heavyweight force, with talk of fights against Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, or Oleksandr Usyk.

On the other hand, Joseph Parker appeared finished. The loss was brutal, and coupled with earlier defeats to Joshua and Dillian Whyte, critics suggested he no longer had the tools or desire to compete with the elite. Some even speculated retirement was the only logical step.

But in boxing, fortunes can change quickly — and that’s exactly what happened.

The Dramatic Career Reversal

While Joyce’s career should have soared, it unexpectedly derailed. In April 2023, just months after the Parker victory, Joyce defended his interim WBO title against Zhilei Zhang, a dangerous southpaw from China. In a shocking upset, Zhang battered Joyce, repeatedly landing powerful left hands that caused significant swelling around Joyce’s eye. The fight was stopped, handing Joyce his first professional defeat.

The rematch later that year ended in an even more decisive fashion, with Zhang knocking Joyce out in the third round. From looking like a future world champion, Joyce suddenly found himself on the outside of the heavyweight picture.

Meanwhile, Joseph Parker embarked on one of the most impressive comeback stretches of his career. In December 2023, he outboxed and defeated the feared puncher Deontay Wilder in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Just weeks later, he toppled Zhilei Zhang, the very man who had derailed Joyce. In early 2025, Parker added another big name to his résumé by stopping Martin Bakole in only two rounds.

From being written off, Parker was suddenly back in the spotlight — and now stands on the brink of another shot at heavyweight glory.

British Fighters: A Constant Theme in Parker’s Career

One fascinating subplot in Joseph Parker’s career has been his repeated encounters with British opponents. The fight with Joyce was just one chapter in a long-running story.

• Anthony Joshua (2018): Parker faced Joshua in Cardiff for the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO titles. Though he lost by unanimous decision, he was the first man to take Joshua the distance in a world title fight.

• Dillian Whyte (2018): Later that year, Parker lost another tough contest in London, suffering a unanimous decision defeat after a late rally.

• Joe Joyce (2022): The brutal knockout loss that many thought ended his career.

• Upcoming Fabio Wardley (2025): Now, Parker prepares for yet another test against a British fighter.

In fact, Wardley will be the seventh British fighter Parker has faced, underlining just how closely his career has been intertwined with UK boxing. Interestingly, had his fight with Daniel Dubois in 2024 not been canceled during fight week, it would have been his eighth.

Why Fabio Wardley Is the Perfect Test

The upcoming bout against Fabio Wardley on October 25 at the O2 Arena in London is being billed as a high-stakes clash. Wardley, the unbeaten WBA interim champion, has power in both hands and a reputation for excitement in the ring.

For Parker, this fight is more than just about defending his WBO interim title — it is about proving once and for all that he belongs in the conversation for the undisputed heavyweight crown.

A victory over Wardley would cement his position as the mandatory challenger for Oleksandr Usyk, the current undisputed champion. And with Usyk’s health uncertain and talks of him vacating one or more belts, the winner of Parker vs. Wardley could even be elevated to full world champion status.

Lessons from the Joyce Loss

Looking back, Parker’s loss to Joyce in 2022 may have been the best thing that happened to his career. It forced him to reassess, rededicate himself, and make crucial adjustments in training. Under the guidance of coach Andy Lee, Parker has sharpened his defense, improved his conditioning, and rediscovered his hunger.

What seemed like the end was actually a new beginning.

By contrast, Joyce’s victory over Parker may have been a poisoned chalice. It created sky-high expectations that ultimately he could not meet, especially when faced with technically skilled southpaws like Zhang.

The Road Ahead: Parker, Wardley, and Usyk

As Parker gears up for October 25, the stakes could not be higher. Beat Wardley, and he all but guarantees himself a shot at Oleksandr Usyk or, if Usyk vacates, a chance to become a two-time world champion. Lose, and the comeback story hits a roadblock.

For Wardley, the fight is equally significant. Beating Parker would make him one of the hottest names in the division and potentially line up the biggest payday of his career.

Meanwhile, the ghost of Joe Joyce looms large over both men. Once the man who looked set to rule the heavyweight division, Joyce now serves as a reminder that in boxing, success can vanish in an instant.

Final Thoughts

The story of Joseph Parker vs. Joe Joyce is one of the most fascinating case studies in modern boxing. Parker, brutally knocked out and seemingly finished, rebuilt himself into one of the most dangerous contenders in the division. Joyce, who looked unstoppable, saw his career unravel almost overnight.

Now, as Parker prepares to face Fabio Wardley in London, he does so with the experience of that crushing defeat behind him — and the lessons learned from it driving him forward.

Boxing fans love redemption stories, and Parker’s journey from the canvas in Manchester to a potential shot at the undisputed heavyweight crown is one of the most compelling in recent memory. The next chapter will be written on October 25 at the O2 Arena, and the world will be watching to see if Joseph Parker can complete one of the greatest comebacks in heavyweight boxing.