Joyce vs. Hammer Preview
A WBC heavyweight title eliminating fight is going down in London on Saturday July 2nd. Undefeated London native Joe Joyce will fight battle tested veteran Christian Hammer.
Joyce (13-0, 12 KO) is coming off sixth round TKO of former title challenger Carlos Takam last July. The 36-year-old has other key victories over Daniel Dubois, Bryant Jennings and Bermane Stiverne. He was a silver medalist at super heavyweight at the 2016 Olympic games.
The London native talked about fighting for a title should he win on Saturday. "Tyson hasn't given up his belt yet. If his WBC belt is given up, I would be first in line to fight for it, probably against Deontay Wilder," Joyce told ESPN. "Tyson is enjoying some family time now, but I think he is waiting to see the outcome of Usyk-Joshua. He's won and done everything in the sport, but if £500 million is on the table, I'm sure he will fight again.
"If the winner of Usyk-Joshua doesn't want to fight me, they will have to give up the WBO belt and I will get to fight for it."
Joyce has worked with all three champions mentioned and is familiar with what they bring to the ring. "I sparred Fury just before his first fight with Deontay Wilder [in December 2018]," Joyce said. "I've not sparred with Joshua since 2017, and I fought Usyk as an amateur, so I know them all quite well."
The undefeated fighter believes this fight with Hammer is a great way to prepare for a potential title fight. "It's a warm-up fight and the ideal fight for me right now," Joyce said. "It would have been Joseph Parker, but it's become a bit complicated with him and that fight has been postponed. I wanted to fight in July, so this is a good one for me. He's durable and has been in with some experienced fighters.
"There's been talk of me fighting Dillian Whyte and Tyson Fury too. I just need to get rid of Hammer and these fights can happen."
Hammer is coming off a first round TKO of Drazen Zanjanin in May. Hammer is 2-3 in his last five fights but has a wealth of experience and is a dangerous opponent for any fighter. Although they were losing efforts, he has been in the ring with the likes of Hughie Fury, Luis Ortiz, Alexander Povetkin and Tyson Fury.
Hammer spoke about fighting Joyce in London. “It is my fourth time here and I am really happy to get the chance of a fight with Joyce and I am looking forward to it. I am feeling very well and I am in good shape. This is a big chance for me and I will give everything. I haven’t come here only for travel,” said Hammer.
He then commented on his preparation for the fight.
“Last time against Sanchez I received the contract only a few days before. I was there on holiday, they asked me to fight and I took the chance. For this fight I have prepared really well and I want to show everyone a good fight.”
The fight can be seen at 2:00pm ET on ESPN +.
