 sees a fight between himself and countryman Anthony Joshua 24-1 (22)){kind=link}
Undefeated British heavyweight Joe ‘Juggernaut’ Joyce 12-0 (11) sees a fight between himself and countryman Anthony Joshua 24-1 (22) at a 50-50 prospect.
The 35-year-old Londoner is more familiar with Joshua than most, having sparred dozens of rounds with the reigning WBA, WBO and IBF champion when they were both in the Team GB amateur boxing squad.
“We’ve had lots of good, competitive rounds in the ring. It’s a good fight, a 50-50 fight,” Joyce said.
“My footwork, punch variety, punch durability. Also I’ve got punch power as well so I can trouble him.
“Credit to Joshua though, he’s a great fighter. He’s got a good defence, has high punch output and he puts them together well. He’s got good uppercuts. He’s a strong guy, so it’ll be a tough fight.”
Joyce will return to the ring against Cameroon-born French veteran Carlos Takam 39-5-1 (28) at Wembley Arena in London on July 24.
“He is coming to throw a spanner in the works but I’m not going to let that happen,” Joyce said. “It’s going to be a tough fight but I think it’s something I can overcome. It’s exciting and this is why I’m in boxing.
“I’m going to deal with Takam and then go on to win a world title and become a world champion. That’s what I’m aiming for.
“First I’ve got him in my way and I’m going to have to take care of business on July 24th.”
Takam, 40, is confident he has the experience to overcome Joyce. The gritty contender has been the distance with former world titleholder Joseph Parker of New Zealand and lasted 10 rounds against both Joshua and recently retired Russian Alexander Povetkin.
“Joe Joyce is a strong guy but he doesn’t have experience like me, he has never fought someone like me,” Joyce said to SecondsOut.
“Joe Joyce is not the best fighter I have fought but I am going to be the best fighter Joe Joyce has fought.
“He is a good opponent for me to come back to the UK. London is like my second home. Fans there are waiting for me, every day they’re writing me ‘Carlos, when you come back in London? When will you fight back in London?’
“I have time to prepare for this fight and I am going to go and win the fight. This is a good opportunity for me to come back home and to come back up in the heavyweight division.
“I am so excited, so happy to be coming back to London.”
Takam added that his friend, UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, told him he would have little to worry about against Joyce.
“I know Francis sparred with Joe Joyce. When they asked me to spar with Joe I said I didn’t want to but they could spar my friend Francis if they want and Francis said yes,” he said.
“Francis says he’s a tough guy and he hits hard. But he said he didn’t want to say he was like a Mike Tyson, because Joe Joyce can’t move like Mike Tyson… he always comes in straight.
“He told me he’s a good guy but not dangerous.”