Heavyweight “Juggernaut” Joe Joyce (13-0, 12 KOs) will return against Christian Hammer (27-9, 17 KOs) at the OVO Arena in London on July 2. Joyce has been out of the ring since last July, suffering a broken wrist that kept him out of action in the first half of this year.
“The most important thing is to get Joe active and confident again after injury,” said promoter Frank Warren. “Christian Hammer is an experienced campaigner who will provide a decent test and give him a good fight, but obviously we expect Joe to come through it successfully and then start preparing for a bigger showdown later this year.
“It was well documented that it was our intention to match Big Joe with Joseph Parker in September, but Parker has now opted to sign a promotional agreement elsewhere. Joe’s route to a world title shot does not revolve around Parker and we have plans in place for a major fight for him in the autumn.”
The 36-year-old Joyce commented on the fight from his training base in Las Vegas: “I’ve known about Christian Hammer for a while now. He has fought everybody, it is going to be a good fight, he comes forward and it will be exciting. It is one to get me ready for the next fights coming up.
“I’ve been out of the ring for a whole year now so it will be good to dust off the gloves and shake off the cobwebs. It is going to be a big year, this year and next, with some great fights and I just need to be in the right place.
“I have taken myself out to the right place with this training camp here to bring out the best in me.”
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The July 2 card at the OVO Arena also includes a super bantamweight collision between European champion Jason Cunningham and two-weight world champion Zolani Tete. Callum Johnson fights Igor Mikhalkin for the WBC Silver light heavyweight title and local favorite Nathan Heaney will make a defense of his IBO International middleweight championship.
He couldn’t find a better opponent?
So the Parker fight is completely off the table because Parker wouldn’t sign with Frank Warren? That’s too bad, it was probably the best fight for either of them and the winner would have been a lock to be WBO mandatory since they’re #1 and #2. Frank Sanchez is #3, maybe PBC lets him come out and play.
team joyce needs to do much better than this
This is the definition of a ‘marking time’ fight. Look at the guys that Dillian Whyte fought while he was waiting for his shot.
Hammer is the gatekeeper for heavyweights in Europe. Kind of a European Jesse Ferguson. Another W for Joyce here, but I still think that his lack of hand speed will prevent him from reaching the top.
Good opponent for Joyce after a long time injured.
PSG, I agree! Joyce needs a shake the rust off fight after this long a layoff. Hopefully, he steps it up after this, because time is not in his side. He needs an opponent that puts him next in line after this get loose fight.
Hammer, the ultimate recycled heavyweight punching bag
This is a useless fight Joe, you should be fighting the likes of Sanchez, Wallisch, Helenius, to move yourself into such a position so you can’t be ignored in being the guy that should be getting a title shot. Not this time waster which you cannot afford at this getting older stage you are in.
Christian Hammer is low hanging fruit. I’m not sure why this decision was made for Joyce. Joe is clearly a higher level fighter. He needs to fight someone like Hrgovic, Wilder, Ajogba, etc…
Even with his accomplishments, I’m still not sold on Joyce. As soon as he fights a sharpshooter, it’s curtains. Thus the quality of opposition.