Heavyweight contender Joe ‘Juggernaut’ Joyce 12-0 (11) knows he cannot afford to slip up when he faces French veteran Carlos Takam 39-5-1 (28) at The SSE Arena in London, England on Saturday night.
The 35-year-old Londoner, who was originally expected to face undefeated Ukrainian southpaw Oleksandr Usyk 18-0 (13) for the interim WBO belt, knows that anything less than a stellar performance could cost him a world shot.
“When I thought I might fight Usyk, I just went to the gym, practiced some southpaw techniques, but boxing is unpredictable and you never really know what is going to happen,” said Joyce, who last fought in November when he stopped Daniel Dubois 16-1 (15) in 10 rounds.
“I kept myself ready, stayed off the doughnuts and the beers so I’m in good shape. I was training like I was going to fight Usyk.
“I am totally focused on Takam. He’s not a southpaw, he’s orthodox and I am confident of my ability in this fight.
“I am within touching distance of a world title fight and let them know I’m ready to fight whoever has the belts.
“I accepted the fight with Takam because he is a good name, an experienced fighter, he’s strong and always comes to win. It’s going to be a great fight. He is a short fighter in stature so will want to get in range, throw those big dangerous hooks and get under my jab. It’s going to be a difficult fight.
“There are a few fights to be sorted out, but I can fight any of the big names for a world title. That is what I’m in the sport for. I said I was going to win all the belts, win a world title and I am right there. I am going to get to my destination.
“I want Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury when I fight for a world title. I always seem to be the underdog who pulls through. It’s less pressure on myself and I make sure I do the work in the gym. I will win by stoppage or KO but won’t predict a round.”
Promoter Frank Warren is expecting a strong showing from the 40-year-old Takam.
“He’s a seasoned performer who comes to fight and you know that his and Joe’s styles will make a fight,” Warren said. “He will come at Joe and that will suit Joe, I think, and he will have to be at his best and he will have to do it better than the other guys did like Joshua and [Dereck] Chisora.
“That is how I look at it but, I repeat myself again, he has only had 12 fights and this is a big step up where a win will see him keep his mandatory position to fight the winner out of Joshua-Usyk taking place in September. I think the fight will be ordered pretty soon after that.
“Joe has been in with tough guys right from the start because of his age and he has done that, but you can still see there are things he needs to do and work on. I think that Takam will be another good name for his record and it will be another great experience for Joe.
“They are big guys who will be throwing bombs at each other and Joe has got a good chin. Takam does come to fight, he throws shots and I can tell you from talking to his team, they fancy the job.”
