Joe Joyce Returns To Fight Replacement Christian Hammer In July

Joe Joyce has a new opponent.  

Joyce will now be facing heavyweight veteran Christian Hammer on July 2 in the OVO Arena in London. Joyce was originally scheduled to face WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, but that fight was delayed to September.  

“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,” promoter Frank Warren said. 

As for Joyce, he said from his training camp 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.” 

Joyce, 36, has not been in the ring in almost a year. He last took on Carlos Takam for the WBC silver heavyweight title, WBO international heavyweight strap and Commonwealth heavyweight belt.  

The British boxer said he knows he’s been out of the ring for too long and that it’s good to “shake off the cobwebs.” He’s hoping to have a big year with big fights. 

Joyce is now ranked No. 1 with the WBO, putting him next in line for the WBO world title, held by unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. He is one of many fighters – including WBA “regular” heavyweight titleholder Daniel Dubois — who are queueing up for the winner of the rematch between Usyk and Anthony Joshua.