Joyce vs Takam Preview

Joyce vs Takam Preview

By Oliver McManus

Joe Joyce returns to the ring tonight for the first time since out-manning Daniel Dubois in their, long-awaited, grudge match last November.

‘Big Juggernaut‘ looks to cement his place as ‘next in line’ for the winner of Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk (September 25th) but has to deal with Carlos Takam first.
 
Takam is no stranger to British shores with three fights in a row on Matchroom shows between October 2017 and December 2018. Two KO losses against Anthony Joshua and Dereck Chisora were offset with a conciliatory stoppage victory over Senad Gashi. Since then Takam has based himself in America and racked up a series of ten round decision wins over Craig Lewis, Fabio Maldonado and Jerry Forrest.
 
That victory over Jerry Forrest, last July, is probably the highlight since the end of 2018 but, by that point, Forrest was a few fights removed from the optimism that once surrounded him.
 
Joyce, 12-0, showcased every element of his skillset in stopping Dubois last year with the 35 year old really just out-muscling, out-working and out-punching his significantly younger opponent. It was the time in his career where actually the catalogue of amateur experience and success erupted into a perfect storm and reminded us of just how talented the Juggernaut is.
 
Takam, now 40, is a little way past his best but remains value for money and a sturdy test of variety and craftsmanship. The Frenchman is ranked 14th with the WBC and will, surely, see this as his last opportunity to secure another world title shot.

Joe Joyce, meanwhile, just has to steer the ship and remain on course for that collision with the winner of Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk.

Official Weigh-In Results Below:

JOYCE v TAKAM
Joyce weight: 18st 11lbs 14oz 
Takam weight: 17st 10lbs 8oz

SHEERAZ v GURRIA 
Sheeraz’s weight: 11st 13lbs 1oz
Gurria’s weight: 10st 13lbs 12oz
     
JENKINS v ESSUMAN
Jenkins weight: 10st 6lbs 10oz 
Essuman weight: 10st 6lbs 6oz
 
BOURKE v BEECH JR
Bourke’s weight: 8st 9lbs 10oz
Beech Jr’s weight: 8st 10lbs 9oz

NOAKES V ALI
Noakes’ weight: 10st 8lbs 1oz
Ali’s weight: 11st 1lbs 14oz

ADELEYE v MANEV
Adeleye’s weight: 16st 2lbs 12oz
Manev’s weight: 16st 4lbs 12oz

FOX v BARLOW
Fox’s weight: 19st 9lbs 5oz
Barlow’s weight: 16st 9lbs 3oz
 
BURKE Jr v CUMMINGS
Burke Jr’s weight: 10st 11lbs 4oz
Cummings’ weight: 11st 1lbs

FRANKHAM v JONES
Frankham weight: 9st 5lbs 10oz
Jones’ weight: 9st 5lbs 13oz

SOCZYNSKI V SEN
Soczynski’s weight: 14st 5lbs
Sen’s weight: 14st 9lbs 1lbs