Joe Joyce Wants To Prove He Is An Elite Heavyweight
At the famed Wembley Arena in London, England, top-ranked heavyweight Joe Joyce (14-0, 13 KOs) easily dispatched Christian Hammer (27-10, 17 KOs) in four rounds. It was Joyce’s since a sixth-round stoppage win over former works title challenger in July 2021.
Following his win over Hammer, Joyce acknowledged during the post-fight interviews he had to shake off a bit of ring rust and took a couple of unnecessary punches. Although, once he got warm, the shots started to flow, and he took care of business.
Joyce is the mandatory challenger by the WBO. He’s also ranked second by the WBC and sixth by the IBF. When asked about what this most recent victory says about where he stands vis-à-vis the rest of the division and who he’s looking to fight next, this is what the 36-year-old had to say.
WANTING ALL THE SMOKE
“I’m top level, ready for the world stage. I’m a proper heavyweight. I’m fit, I got an engine, I got a chin, big heart, big cojones as well. I’m ready for all comers.
“I’m looking to possibly fight the winner of AJ [Anthony Joshua] vs [Oleksandr] Usyk, or maybe Tyson Fury if he comes out. I’m at that level”.
If heart, will, and toughness account for anything, it’s understandable why Joyce rates himself so high in the heavyweight landscape. The biggest win of his career is a tenth-round KO over Daniel Dubois in November 2020. During that fight, he busted Dubois’ face with power jabs and walked through the shots of someone noted for his punching power.
Joyce’s ability to absorb punishment plus his heavy hands are two of his greatest attributes. He would use those assets in a possible match with Usyk, Joshua, or WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in hopes of testing their will and durability.
Given his current status with the WBO specifically, the big man from Great Britain is in line to face the winner of the rematch between Usyk vs Joshua 2, which takes place on August 20 in Saudi Arabia. Look for his promoter, Frank Warren, to be beating at the door of the WBO demanding his fighter get the first crack at the winner.
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By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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