Former world title challenger Bryant Jennings says the call to fight Joe “Juggernaut” Joyce in the British heavyweight star’s just 10th fight did not take him by surprise. The 34-year-old Jennings is a seasoned campaigner in the division, with 27 fights under his belt and the only defeats against his name coming when he took on Wladimir Klitschko, Luis Ortiz and, most recently, the unbeaten Oscar Rivas, who he was leading before getting caught in the final round.
The Philadelphian, however, has not taken it personally being drafted in to test and further the experience of the relatively novice pro Joyce on the blockbuster ‘Heavy Duty’ card at the o2 Arena on July 13.
Jennings points to the Olympic pedigree possessed Joyce.
“No, no, he is a silver medallist and that is how they go,” he considered. “Lomachenko had a world title in his second fight, so when you are a gold, silver or even bronze medallist, that is the type of path they create for you when you turn over into the pros.
“You pretty much come in two fights away from being ranked.
“I expected it from him and even previously there was a lot of noise back and forth on Twitter when he says a lot to other fighters, picking fights. He is doing what he’s supposed to be doing as a fighter.
“So something like this isn’t far-fetched and is something I would have expected to have received, that type of call.”
The articulate American, at the same time, also doesn’t believe he is in a no-win situation against Joyce where, even if he is victorious, people will point to the fact his opponent has only had ten fights.
“No I don’t think they will say that. I think he has displayed enough for it to be considered a notable win. It is the fans who make up boxing, the fans and the fighters, so it you have got a hundred thousand fans screaming Joe Joyce, then he is hot.
“Regardless of what ranking he has, it doesn’t take away from what the fans see in him. So when I win it is definitely a notable win and one that keeps me right where I’m at or moves me up a bit.”
While clearly confident of victory, Jennings does acknowledge he is going in with a genuine heavyweight force in Joyce.
“Yeah I see him as a dangerous opponent. There are a lot of guys that are dangerous and even the ones we don’t look at as such could be even more dangerous. The fighter that is most dangerous is the one where there are no damn tapes!
“That is a dangerous fighter because you don’t know what this guy is gonna bring. I would consider Joyce a dangerous fighter because he is a big guy, a high class Olympian and that is about all the compliments I am going to keep giving him!
“He is a dangerous enough fighter for it to be a great fight and a good win for me.”
Jenning is easily one of the most intelligent and articulate boxers out there. He’s a legit HW contender but he can’t afford any losses in the near future if wants to continue to get big fights.
Joe Joyce’s last two wins (TKO) were against Stiverne and Ustinov, so he’s clearly a dangerous fighter.
For those reasons, I think the match up is excellent. I hope for a Jenning win, but its a high risk fight for him.
I am afraid Jennings is heading to a beating worse than the one he suffered at the hands of Luis Ortiz. Jennings knows how to box well, but he is very fragile, being this evident soon he is facing a big and strong boxer that carries some power, Joyce is big, strong with serious power and also good skills. I see this fight a bad matchup for Jemnings. My guess…..a 5 to 7 rounds beatdown
jenning is gonna get beat down and knockout period. joyce is a seriou fighter.
Well, I’d give Joyce a slight edge due his punching power. But, Bryant is a relentless counter-puncher with good legs, who adapts well to all styles. I see Joe, however, as the consummate spoiler who has a very good chance of stopping Jennings.
Jennings is going to pull the upset! Joyce is slow as molasses and Jennings is going to be one step ahead of Joyce!! Mark these words.