Joyce vs. Chisora Preview
The O2 Arena in London, England will host a dynamic heavyweight fight on Saturday, July 27. Former WBO interim heavyweight champion Joe Joyce will face battle tested veteran and former title challenger Derek Chisora.
Joyce (16-2, 15 KO) will be battling in his hometown to prove he is worthy of another shot at a title. He defeated Kash Ali by 10th round KO in his last fight which was a big rebound after losing badly by TKO in his two previous fights to Zhilei Zhang.
The London native knows he cannot take title contention for granted. "I've been so, so close two times," Joyce said. "Once with the WBA, then with the WBO. Only in heavyweight boxing [that] Dubois got elevated straight away with the IBF and I was like, 'What's going on?' I just have to beat whoever is in front of me now and pray I will get the opportunities I deserve."
The 38-year-old talked about what could be next with a defeat of Chisora. “Get through Chisora, and I’m still up there, I’m still ready, and I’m coming for everybody,” Joyce said. “Parker, that would be a good fight, a rematch. Any of the top boys really. Joshua can get it. Dubois can get it. All of them can get it. Fury and Usyk! I’m coming for everyone. Getting that heavyweight title that’s what I’m still in the sport for. I got to the top level in the amateurs and got a silver medal [at the Olympics], and arguably – this is in the past – it should have been gold. I’ve had my setbacks, but I’m still here, I’m still live, and I’m still ‘The Juggernaut.”
Joyce has wins over former WBO champion Joseph Parker and former title challenger Daniel Dubois. Both victories give him great marks on his resume so despite two bad losses recently and his age, he can solidify his place in the title picture with a win on Saturday.
Chisora (34-13, 23 KO) is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Gerald Washington last August. He is 5-5 in his last 10 fights but at 40 years old has fought a who’s who of the heavyweight division. Will Saturday be his last fight?
“It’s a sad day for me that on Saturday. It’s hard to explain because I love the O2 so much and what a way to go out, at the O2 fighting Joe Joyce,” said Chisora.
He continued, “It’s going to be unbelievable. Don’t even sit down, just stay stand up because I’m going to come and find my man,” he said.
Joyce is just about the only heavyweight Chisora has not fought. “It’s been a long time. It’s been a lot of years. I was going to fight him a lot earlier,” he said.
“I was very surprised when the fight was announced for me to actually fight Chisora so I jumped at the opportunity. I think our styles will mesh very well. I’m coming for all the action and all the glory.”
Chisora is not going out quietly and had choice words for Joyce. ‘Compared to everybody I’ve boxed, I don’t lose sleep over you bro, so I’m not bothered. You’re nothing.”
Chisora is also a British fighter who has had many memorable battles in the country he grew up in. In his storied career he has fought the likes of Tyson Fury (thrice), Joseph Parker (twice), Oleksandr Usyk, Dillian Whyte, David Haye and Vitali Klitschko. He has key victories over Kubrat Pulev, Artur Szpilka, Carlos Takam, Kevin Johnson and Danny Williams. Despite the key wins thus far, Joyce could represent the biggest win of his long career.
