Joe Joyce and Joseph Parker have come together during an opening face-off after their heavyweight fight was confirmed.
The 'Juggernaut' is yet to compete in the ring since his statement stoppage victory over Carlos Takam last year, after struggling with a wrist injury. Parker has been training in the UK since his victory over Derek Chisora in December and is eyeing a step to world title contention again after working with Tyson Fury.
Joyce and Parker were brought together backstage after Fury's victory over Dillian Whyte when their heavyweight fight was announced by promoter Frank Warren. Joyce and Parker squared up to one another during a face-off before embracing and shaking hands. Parker was asked about the fight first and responded: "He's a big solid guy but I am ready to break him down.
"We can't trash talk each other as I have nothing bad to say about him and he probably has nothing bad to say about me. We really want to fight but we are guys that don't really talk much. There are lots of positive things that he does, he has a good engine and a great chin but I am too fast and too slick for him.
Joyce hit back making his own claim to victory: "At the end of the day once we get in the ring all the niceties and stuff will be gone because we want to knock each other out and we want to win as well. So it's going to be a great fight. My attributes and my experience and things in the ring, my relentless and juggernaut-ness will help me smash him."
Both men are looking to advance into contention to put themselves in pole position for a shot at the world titles if they fragment with Fury currently planning on vacating the WBC title. Meanwhile Anthony Joshua is set to rematch Oleksandr Usyk for the other titles with the winner set to be open to be challenged or unify the division.
Joyce is currently the No.1 ranked heavyweight with the WBO and is expected to try and enforce his mandatory challenger as soon as possible if he can progress beyond Parker. The heavyweight star has been going back and forth with Joshua but has admitted he would like to challenge Fury if the star decides against retiring.
"He [Fury] better have more fights left because I want to fight him at one stage. If he wants it, I'm here," Joyce said about a potential domestic showdown. I'm back sparring and ready to get back to Las Vegas and back training with a proper solid camp for Parker.
"That's scheduled for July 2 - it's not 100 per cent done yet but it's pretty much there. Both myself and Parker want it; we're both similar, friendly guys but once we get in that ring it's going to be a different story."
