Via Barry Holbrook: undefeated high-ranked heavyweight Joe Joyce will compete next Saturday night in a 12-round title match against veteran Christian Hammer live on BT Sport at Wembley Arena in London, England.
#1 WBO, #2 WBC Joyce (13-0, 12 KOs) negotiated with former WBO champion Joseph Parker, but that match fell through. Hammer has lost three of his last five matches and looks over it a bit.
Instead of Joyce getting Parker, he’ll face 34-year-old cruiser Hammer (27-9, 17 KOs) who will arrive in three weeks. It’s not an ideal situation for Parker, Hammer, or the fans who will be following the card, but it’s the way it is.
On a positive note, the bottom card has a few excellent fights below:
Jason Cunningham vs Zolani Tete, and Callum Johnson vs Igor Mikhalkin. If the main event between Joyce and Hammer isn’t entertaining, chances are that one or both of these underdog clashes will bring excitement to fans.
Joyce, 37, is about to be sacked 11 months on from her win over Carlos Takam last July. That’s a huge amount of time for a boxer of Joyce’s age, and he’ll have to stay busy if he doesn’t want to ruin his career.
Underlined:
Jason Cunningham vs. Zolani Tete
Callum Johnson vs Igor Mikhalkin
Nathan Heaney vs. Nizar Trimech
Mark Chamberlain and Marc Vidal
Micky Burke vs Serge Ambomo
Henry Turner vs Jakub Laskowski
Tommy Fletcher vs Darryl Sharp
Arnold Obodai vs TBA
“This is heavyweight boxing and it only takes one punch. I have to be on and I have to be careful and do my job, and the stuff I’m doing with Salas in Vegas,” Joe Joyce told talkSPORT Boxing about his fight next Saturday night against Christian Hammer.
“My entire training camp revolved around fighting Joseph Parker, and last minute changes. I can adjust. Within 20 seconds of entering the ring, I was able to take out my opponent.
“During amateur fights, you don’t know who you’re fighting until you’re in the ring. You don’t know if they are orthodox or nampaw. You have to be able to adjust, and that’s what I have to do.
Joyce talks about his failed battle with Joseph Parker. I assumed the contracts were signed, but maybe not.
“Frank has a deal with BT Sport, and BT Sport wants me to fight on their network,” Joyce said. “So Joseph’s signing with rival broadcasters caused problems.
“From the very beginning, he was a free agent and could go back to Frank Warren or BT and negotiate. Maybe it could have gone to the bid. I’m looking to fight Joseph Parker. It was a great fight and people wanted to see it,” Joyce said.
