JOE JOYCE'S MMA team is pushing for Joseph Parker's fight for the WBC title. This comes after Tyson Fury's recent retirement announcement.
Fury had initially put down his gloves in April after he knocked out Dillian Whyte at Wembley.
Joe Joyce and Frank Warren, promoters of Joseph Parker
Tyson Fury may lose his WBC belt if he retires
He spoke out four months later to say he was returning, to fight Derek Chisora (38), in an unlikely trio following his wins in 2011 and 2014.
Fury retired from Ring Magazine two days later.
He has not yet done the same with his WBC title, and was given until August 26th to notify them in writing.
SunSport knows Joyce's team is pushing for a heavyweight fight with Parker (30) to win the vacant belt.
They will headline Manchester on September 24, and are both highly ranked by the WBC.
Joyce, 36 is the No2 position, while Parker is just one place behind him, with ex-champ Deontay wilder, 36, in front.
Joyce's request may be denied due to Fury's deadline. However, Joyce could still be eligible for the "interim" belt.
The theory is that this gives the title holder a guarantee shot at the full title. This was the case with Whyte (34).
Fury's promoters still hope the Gypsy King will return for an historic, first-ever four-belt heavyweight unification.
First, Oleksandr Uzyk, 35, must match Anthony Joshua, 32 in Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, following his September win.
Joyce is the mandatory WBO challenger for the winner. However, despite hopes of unification, he will have to wait for his shot.
Joe Joyce ranks high with the WBC/WBO
