Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have both dominated the heavyweight division over the last few years, ensuring that at least one of the four major titles have stayed on British soil.
Joshua and Fury will have aspirations of unifying the division and becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion. Although both men are capable of doing that, one of the biggest threats to their goal could come from fellow British boxer Joe Joyce.
The silver medallist at the 2016 Olympics Games has been climbing the heavyweight rankings over the last few years. He is now on the cusp of getting his first world title opportunity in his division.
Joyce will be keeping a close eye on the Fury vs Dillian Whyte contest as he could be set to face the winner of that clash. Fury is the 1/6 favourite in the boxing betting, so it is the WBC champion he is most likely to face for that shot at major glory.
Whyte is 7/2 in the Fury vs Whyte live odds to cause an upset at Wembley. Joyce has been very critical of the way the Body Snatcher has handled contract negotiations for the fight with Fury. He has even said he would happily fill in for the WBC interim championship should he pull out from the event.
Joseph Parker Could Be Next for Joyce
Barring a late call-up for the Wembley event, Joyce’s next appearance in the ring is likely to be in June or July. Talks are underway between his team and Joseph Parker’s representatives.
This would be a big test for Joyce as Parker is a former world champion and is ranked 2nd with the WBO and 3rd with the WBC. Victory over the New Zealand boxer would do a lot for his reputation.
Parker has won his last six bouts in the ring, with his latest two victories coming against British boxer Derek Chisora. The winner of the Joyce-Parker fight would be able to demand a world title show at the end of 2022.
Successes Over Dubois and Takam Show Joyce’s Power
Joyce is unbeaten since turning professional in 2017. He has won all 13 of his fights, 12 of which have come inside the distance. The Englishman showcased the power he has in his punches in his last two victories, with impressive wins coming against Daniel Dubois and Carlos Takam.
The 36-year-old went into the clash with Dubois as the underdog, however, he dominated the fight. His British compatriot was unable to continue in the 10th round, with Joyce claiming the British, European and Commonwealth heavyweight titles.
Joyce came up against the very experienced Takam in his fight. The Cameroon-born boxer had a reputation of being tough to break down, with the majority of his defeats coming by the judges’ scorecards. The ‘Juggernaut’ needed just six rounds to get the victory.
The future looks very bright for Joyce. The heavyweight achieved a lot of success as an amateur and he looks on course to also reach the top of his sport as a professional.
