Joe Joyce aiming to sleep Carlos Takam fast!
On July 24, heavyweight Joe “Juggernaut” Joyce (12-0, 11 KO’s) will square-off against seasoned veteran Carlos Takam (39-5-1, 28 KO’s). For Joyce this will represents the next step in his professional evolution. In Takam, ranked #14 (WBC), the Juggernaut feels that his unorthodox style, heavy hands and tremendous in-ring experience will make him a very dangerous adversary. If given the choice however, Joyce would have preferred to go toe-to-toe with Oleksandr Usyk. The two fighters had their names sutured together for months.
Currently Usyk is ranked #1 (WBO), #2 (WBA) and #3 (IBF). With his WBO standings, Usyk is the mandatory challenger for Anthony Joshua and sought a bout with the unified heavyweight champion. Yet, the Usyk/Joshua talks were significantly postponed as Joshua attempted to make a super fight with WBC World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. Ultimately the Fury/Joshua bout imploded when Deontay Wilder won his arbitration case with Fury. With the super fight dismantled, Usyk resumed negotiations with Team Joshua,. As a result, Joyce moved on to his current bout with Takam.
RESPECT THINE ENEMY
Naturally Joyce, ranked #2 (WBO), #5 (WBC) and #10 (IBF), would have chosen the dustup with Usyk. This is because Usyk is younger, ranked higher and claiming his scalp would garner the most respect. At the same time though, the Juggernaut is not crying rivers into this morning Cheerios. As he told IFL TV, Joyce knows he has a real opponent that will bring out his best.
“Yeah he is an experienced guy, he’s been in there with the best and he’s later in his career. But there is respect there because in all his fights, he’s always in great shape. He’s a tricky fighter to beat and so there is respect there. Don’t need to be like cussing each others’ moms out or anything like that. But we both know we’re going to have a good fight, like it’s going to be an exciting fight. But we both have respect for each other and you know you’re going to get some good viewing when you see us two in the ring!”
Yet, whether they have an ample reverence for one another or not, Joyce is still looking to make a statement.
“Takam is going to be awkward because he’ll be coming from lower and he’s got a big overhand right and left. And he comes in with his head so he’s going to be a very tricky opponent. He’s durable so he’s going to be able to soak up a lot of shots. But yeah, it’s going to be an exciting fight and hopefully I can knock him out quicker than, first of all I’ve got to win the fight! But hopefully I can knock him out quicker than [Anthony] Joshua or [Dereck] Chrisora.”
By: Bakari Simpson
