Joe Joyce stays busy, waits for elusive opportunity
Joe Joyce has learned that big opportunities can be hard to come by.
The heavyweight contender and 2016 Olympic silver medalist was expected to fight Oleksandr Usyk two years ago and Joseph Parker this year but both fights fell through, with Usyk going on to take Anthony Joshua’s titles in a stunning upset.
Joyce (13-0, 12 KOs) recorded a break-through victory when he stopped Daniel Dubois in November 2020 but, so far, it hasn’t led to anything substantial.
The 36-year-old Londoner will face journeyman Christian Hammer (27-9, 17 KOs) – a replacement for Parker – on Saturday at the OVO Arena Wembley (ESPN+ in the U.S.). In the meantime, he’ll continue to target his top rivals and wait.
Of course, that includes WBC titleholder Tyson Fury, which whom he has sparred. Joyce is ranked No. 2 by that sanctioning body, behind Fury and No. 1 Deontay Wilder.
Joyce likes his chances against the top big man.
“I agree with him on one thing: None of the others stand a chance against him,” Joyce told The Sun. “I am the only one that can beat him if he ever took the challenge.”
Joyce is the No. 1 contender to WBO champion Usyk, who is scheduled to face Joshua a second time on Sept. 25.
Fury probably will be first in line to face the Usyk-Joshua winner in what would be an enormous event. However, if that doesn’t happen for whatever reason, Joyce would be a leading candidate.
He’d be happy to face either man.
“I’m No 1 with the WBO and when Usyk beats Joshua again I’ll show you how a proper heavyweight in 10-ounce gloves deals with a man who lost to a welterweight (Shawn Porter) in the amateurs,” he said.
And if Joshua turns the tables on Usyk?
“If by some miracle Joshua beats Usyk,” Joyce said, “He will have to face me or vacate the belt. His chin has gone and I don’t think his heart is fully in the game any more — he’s a businessman more interested in lecturing students.”
Joyce has said he, too, will fight next in September. Who will he face? He holds out hope of still fighting Parker but that seems unlikely after the Kiwi expressed interest in fighting Dillian Whyte a second time.
That means Joyce probably will have to wait even longer for a big fight.
