Soccer
  • Home
  • Boxing
  • Joe Joyce has eyes on big prize ahead of Carlos Takam rumble

Joe Joyce has eyes on big prize ahead of Carlos Takam rumble

Joe Joyce has his eyes on the big prize, but the undefeated heavyweight first has to dispose of the durable Carlos Takam at Wembley Arena.

Unbeaten heavyweight Joe Joyce has his eye on a world title shot, but has acknowledged he has a "big test" first as he tackles Carlos Takam on Saturday night.
Joyce, 35, is planning on facing the divisional king in 2022 after being confirmed as the next WBO mandatory challenger.

IBF, WBA and WBO titleholder Anthony Joshua fights Oleksandr Usyk on September 25, while WBC king Tyson Fury will face Deontay Wilder on October 9.

Both Joshua and Fury have their sights on being the undisputed champion and Joyce will be gunning for the winner.

First though Joyce (12-0) has to dispatch the experienced Takam at Wembley Arena.

"I've got a big test in Takam so I won't look too far ahead because this is a tough fight," he said at the final face off on Thursday.
"I need to beat Takam up to make a statement so I can go on to win a world title.
"Takam gives it his all and he's a hard fight. It might take a few rounds, it might take all the rounds, but I will get the job done then cruise on to a world title."

Takam, 40, has previously gone 10 rounds with Joshua before the Brit's heavy punching caught up with the Cameroon-born fighter.

Takam sustained cuts to both eyes and eventually the fight was stopped in the 10th, but not before Takam, who was a late replacement, had landed some decent shots on the champion.
Takam also went eight rounds with Derek Chisora, and was ahead on the scorecards before Chisora landed two big right hands to win by knockout in the July 2018 contest.

Mole in the camp

Star Boxing chief Joe Deguardia explained the importance of the fight for Takam (39-5-1). "Joe [Joyce] is in a great position. He's about to fight for the championship of the world, but he's got to get through Carlos first. A win for Carlos puts him in that position."

Joyce's manager Sam Jones was quick to spice up the press conference and admitted analysing Takam's recent sparring.
Asked if he had a mole in the camp and ha been sent footage of Takam in his camp, Adams said: "It's not moles, it's just the morning report. I had someone show me the footage and Carlos is doing well.
"He does what he does. He comes forward with a Mike Tyson sort of style. He comes in and throws some big shots and he is game. That is what he is.
"He spars how he fights."
Takam replied: "Sam doesn't know my game plan," to which Jones said: "I do [know your game plan], I've watched all of your spars."

Takam insisted he was now at the top of his game. "Why you watch my sparring? Maybe you are scared of me or what?"

Joyce, who impressively defeated Daniel Dubois last time out, had been a spectator up until that point but he did speak about his own training camp.

"Training camp has gone really well… I have done all that I can in the training camp leading up," said Joyce.
"The camp has been good, I have had great sparring. I am in a good place, he's in a good place, we are going to have a car crash Saturday night, we are both going to go at it, and I am going to win."
Takam closed with: "To Joe, I want to say good luck, and to Sam, no, I have nothing to say to Sam…"

    More Articles