BoxRec

HEAVYWEIGHT sensation Joe Joyce will face his toughest test as a professional when he tackles former world title challenger Bryant Jennings on the 'Heavy Duty' show at The O2, London on Saturday July 13.

The Londoner is being fast-tracked to the top and a successful WBA Gold title defence against the American star will move him even closer to a world title challenge.



Joyce (9-0, 9 KOs) annihilated another former world title challenger Alexander Ustinov earlier this month and admits: “This should be my toughest fight to date.

“Bryant Jennings has been in very big fights and he gave Wladimir Klitschko a tough night before he fought Tyson Fury.

Jennings (24-3-0, 14KOs) lost on points when he challenged Ukrainian great Wladimir Klitschko for his world titles at Madison Square Garden in April 2015.

Olympic silver medallist Joyce added: ”He is also probably Luis Ortiz’s best win.

“I respect Bryant for stepping up and taking this fight. I intend to send a statement to the heavyweight division on July 13th and it won’t be long before I get my hands on those big titles.”

Jennings holds good wins over former European Champion Alexander Dimitrenko, Artur Szpilka and Mike Perez. Victory on the road against Joyce will kick-start his world title hopes again.

The Philadelphia contender says: “This is a high-risk, good-reward fight. It makes getting in the ring worth it. I don’t mind the test. I don’t mind the challenge. That’s just who I am.
“I am the only one who can beat myself. Nobody can beat me. When I’ve lost, it’s been because of me, not my opponent.”

And Jennings warned this is just a start of a mission to topple British heavyweights adding: “I am ready to go now. The Oscar Rivas fight is in the past, and I’m ready for the challenge that’s ahead of me.

“After this, I’m coming after all the other UK heavyweights. They are the ones running the division.”

Promoter allegedly added: "World heavyweight boxing is absolutely flying at the moment and our Heavy Duty night on July 13th just got bigger.

“Bryant Jennings is a quality fighter who operates at world level and this is the perfect fight for Joe to showcase his credentials and put himself in the running for major titles.

"This is a step up in class for Joe and a mark of the progress he has made after just ten fights as a pro.

“It is the opportunity for him to post a big message to the heavyweight champions and contenders that a new force is rapidly making up the ground towards world title contention.

"This is a great fight added to what is already shaping up to being a fantastic card for the fans at the o2 Arena.”

Joyce v Jennings is promoted by Queensberry Promotions in association with Ringstar Sports and Top Rank.

Richard Schaefer of Ringstar Sports said: “The heavyweight division is the glamour division of boxing again. Indeed July 13th will be another glamorous night for Joe Joyce.

“With Bryant Jennings, he has the biggest and most dangerous opponent of his career but I am sure that ‘The Juggernaut’ will pass with flying colours and continue his march towards the heavyweight championship of the world.”

Bryant’s promoter Bob Arum added: "People will see how dangerous Bryant Jennings really is.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see him easily beat Joe Joyce. Bryant has fought the best heavyweights in the world, and Joe has seen nothing like him as a professional.”

Shaping up to be a good card this one. Are there any other fights confirmed other than the 2 heavyweight contests?

Just saw this fight was made. You beat me to it. I predict Joe "Ketchup" Joyce will win.

Good fight, I'd expect Joyce to grind him down from behind. 60/40 fight.

No word on how many rounds this will be. Guessing it will be 12.

Can anyone see Joyce go the distance, it will 7-8 rounds be enough to wear Jennings down for a stoppage.

Really good fight this one. I like this matchup a lot.

This is pretty much the right step-up fight. I'm satisfied.

i like this fight ;)

The 2 main event fights on this card are gonna be good. Or should be.

I keep picturing this fight like a longer version of Foreman vs Norton. Jennings trying to stick and move (although he loves to mix it up inside), having some success early on, and Joyce slowly (no pun intended) closing the gap and beating him down.

Joe Joyce wins this one. Too big, too heavy-handed and far too busy, despite the Brits apparent lack of finesse.

Jennings might be extremely negative during the bout though, using constant lateral movement to survive, avoid taking blows and last the distance ( similar to Helenius’ tactics against Whyte), but I really do hope this isn’t the case.

Jennings is still decent, but now Joyce will have more chances, than against a couple of years younger version of Jennings. Jennings will look good until he gets caught. And he'll most likely will. Joyce by KO.

"Heavy weight sensation" ? OMG !

I do believe this fight will go into the late rounds. If Jennings agrees to be "game" and not hug and hold in the later rounds, I think he could get KO'ed, some time past the 9th round.

But if he decides to try and survive at all costs, then I see him hugging and holding onto Joyce in desperation, lasting until the ending bell sounds, but losing by decision.

HeavyHitters wrote: ↑30 May 2019, 17:31 I do believe this fight will go into the late rounds. If Jennings agrees to be "game" and not hug and hold in the later rounds, I think he could get KO'ed, some time past the 9th round.

But if he decides to try and survive at all costs, then I see him hugging and holding onto Joyce in desperation, lasting until the ending bell sounds, but losing by decision.

8-9 rounds should do it.

Jennings will provide an opening at some stage, Joyce has to be ‘quick’ enough to take it.

Even if Jennings goes defensive.

This is a very good match. I expect Joyce to grind out a late stoppage.

Joe ‘Underwater’ Joyce might lose this. Jennings isn’t very good but he has a clear speed advantage

Riddick Blowe wrote: ↑31 May 2019, 08:33 Joe ‘Underwater’ Joyce might lose this. Jennings isn’t very good but he has a clear speed advantage

Very difficult to time someone who moves that slowly. Jennings will think he's ducked a hook only to find himself being caught full force when he comes back up for air.

Joe "Stop-motion" Joyce for the win

I almost pissed myself laughing at that Finkel. I now keep seeing that image in my mind's eye (Jennings surfacing only to get clobbered by the bomb he thought he'd ducked)

lol that could be the key to joes success, no one can get there timing down because theyve never seen such non speed

Great matchup, I'm surprised they're matching Joyce this tough. I got Jennings by decision.

jujigatame wrote: ↑31 May 2019, 13:41 Great matchup, I'm surprised they're matching Joyce this tough. I got Jennings by decision.

He wanted to fight Chisora after 3 fights.

Good matchup for a change. I 'll guess Joyce wins it because the boxing powers that be are hustling him.

Ilya Muromets wrote: ↑31 May 2019, 14:35 Good matchup for a change. I 'll guess Joyce wins it because the boxing powers that be are hustling him.

I'm mainly going with him because Jennings has looked lackluster in recent years. I think he has the ability to beat Joyce, but I don't know if he has the heart anymore to dig down as much as he'll need to at times in this fight. Not sure he ever did for that matter. The attitude of a fighter seemed to be one of the key ingredients missing from him.