Official weigh-in results below: JOYCE v TAKAM Joyce weight: 18st 11lbs 14oz Takam weight: 17st 10lbs 8oz SHEERAZ v GURRIA Sheeraz’s weight: 11st 13lbs 1oz Gurria’s weight: 10st 13lbs 12oz JENKINS v ESSUMAN Jenkins weight: 10st 6lbs 10oz Essuman weight: 10st 6lbs 6oz BOURKE v BEECH JR Bourke’s weight: 8st 9lbs 10oz Beech Jr’s weight: 8st 10lbs 9oz NOAKES V ALI Noakes’ weight: 10st 8lbs 1oz Ali’s weight: 11st 1lbs 14oz ADELEYE v MANEV Adeleye’s weight: 16st 2lbs 12oz Manev’s weight: 16st 4lbs 12oz FOX v BARLOW Fox’s weight: 19st 9lbs 5oz Barlow’s weight: 16st 9lbs 3oz BURKE Jr v CUMMINGS Burke Jr’s weight: 10st 11lbs 4oz Cummings’ weight: 11st 1lbs FRANKHAM v JONES Frankham weight: 9st 5lbs 10oz Jones’ weight: 9st 5lbs 13oz SOCZYNSKI V SEN Soczynski’s weight: 14st 5lbs Sen’s weight: 14st 9lbs 1lbs |
Tag: Carlos Takam
JOYCE WANTS WINNER OF JOSHUA/USYK AT EMIRATES
| JOYCE OUT TO PROVE HE’S NUMBER ONE, WANTS WINNER OF JOSHUA/USYK AT EMIRATES |
| JOE JOYCE HAS identified the ideal venue to stage his world title tilt, should he be successful in seeing off the challenge of Carlos Takam in their heavyweight showdown at the SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday. Joyce’s field of dreams is still in North London, but further round the North Circular at the Emirates Stadium, home of his footballing favourites Arsenal FC. Victory on Saturday will ensure the 35-year-old remains at the head of the queue to take on the winner of the forthcoming Anthony Joshua-Oleksandr Usyk battle pencilled in for September. With Joshua/Usyk now official, Joyce has been confirmed as the first WBO mandatory challenger for the winner. Joyce would love to lure whoever emerges as WBO champion to N7 to unleash his own Arsenal on the champion. “That would be a great one for the history books and there is a first time for everything,” said the heavyweight force, who would relish being the first to headline on the hallowed Emirates turf. “The Emirates is an amazing stadium, so I am looking forward to it happening hopefully.” Big fights, of course, have been staged at football grounds across London and the country, with Upton Park, Loftus Road, the old White Hart Lane, Elland Road and Old Trafford among the stadiums to host the noble art. Arsenal’s previous ground, Highbury, was the venue for another major sporting event that took place in 1966, when Muhammad Ali fought Henry Cooper for a second time. Since this time, the home of Arsenal has been strictly football. Joyce visited the stadium today ahead of his big night on Saturday to perhaps get a feel of what might be should he continue to successfully hunt down a shot at a world title belt. Even though Joyce is typically associated with Putney, north of the capital isn’t so far away from his place of birth. “I actually started off in East London and was born in Mile End. I lived with both my parents in Bethnal Green before they split up and my mum moved to Hackney, then Leytonstone, before we went south to Putney when I was six. “I got to go to Highbury sometimes when one of my uncles took me because my dad wasn’t into football much so I didn’t get the chance to follow as closely as I would have liked. “The first game I watched – I can’t remember how old I was, but I was pretty young at the time – was an Arsenal-Liverpool game in the era of Ian Wright and David Seaman. “I have always been an Arsenal fan since school and soon I am getting to do a fishing show soon with my childhood heroes Wright and Seaman.” Joe Joyce v Carlos Takam for the WBC Silver and WBO International titles takes place at the SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday (July 24). Hamzah Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KOs) makes the third defence of his WBO European title against Spaniard Ezequiel Gurria (15-1, 3 KOs). Swansea’s Chris Jenkins (22-3-3, 8 KOs) will finally defend his British and Commonwealth welterweight titles against Nottingham’s Ekow Essuman (14-0, 5 KOs) after recovering from injury. In a well matched fourth title fight, Peacock gym ace Chris Bourke (9-0, 6 KOs) defends his WBC International super-bantamweight title against Bloxwich’s James Beech Jnr (12-1, 2 KOs). There is also heavyweight action featuring David Adeleye (6-0, 5 KOs), while Mill Hill’s George Fox (3-0) will make his Queensberry debut. Reading super-featherweight hope Charles Frankham (2-0, 1 KO) has also been added to the stacked bill., along with ‘The Gent’ Micky Burke Jr (4-0, 1 KO) who also returns after his first stoppage victory in November last year. Tickets are available NOW from AXS.com. Click here to buy tickets. £50 Tier £70 Floor/Tier £100 Floor £150 Floor |
Joyce visits Wembley ahead of Takam Showdown on July 24th
| JOE JOYCE VISITED the scene of Sunday’s Italian Job on Wednesday and stated his intention to land the knockout finish the gallant England team failed to apply when he takes on Carlos Takam in a heavyweight shootout on July 24. Joyce will be performing at the adjacent SSE Arena and he spent the day sampling the Wembley surrounds ahead of his date with the formidable Frenchman, who will be seeking to put a first dent in the perfect 12-0 professional record of the 2016 Olympic silver medallist. “I’ll be going for the knockout finish and that is what I am planning to do,” insisted Joyce, who has stopped 11 of his 12 opponents via KO. Joyce knows the route to heavyweight glory that has been plotted for him. Take out Takam and he will be made mandatory challenger for the WBO world title soon to be contested between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk. So the stakes are mighty high for the 35-year-old known as ‘The Juggernaut’. “I will happily take on whoever wins, but I would love the opportunity to fight Joshua. I think he will want to fight (Tyson) Fury so we will have to see what happens there, but I am on the WBO track and looking to be made mandatory. “I think Usyk could be a tricky fight for Joshua, but he should knock him out sooner or later you would think. It is heavyweight boxing, so you never know, but Usyk is no joke. He is an Olympic gold medallist, a very skilled southpaw, so he will probably pose Joshua problems with his good footwork and ringcraft. “I do think Joshua will get to him, sooner or later,” added the Putney native who, given the delays involving the other leading heavies, will be bidding to put an early marker down in the division with an impressive and eye-catching display against Takam. “Yeah and that is why I chose Takam as a good move for me. It is all about getting the right fights and I think this is one to get people talking. It will keep me ready too for when I get my turn to fight for the world title. “He is a respected opponent who has been in with the best, like Joshua and also Chisora, who has been mentioned to fight me but I don’t think he wants it. It is going to be a great fight,” he added, pointing out that both versions of The Juggernaut could be required – the one who ploughs forward and the more nimble and skilful one we witness against Daniel Dubois. “Maybe you will see a bit of both, depending on which Takam turns up, although I think I know what kind of style he will have. Whatever works to get me the win is what you will see. It is going to be a tough test and a real hard fight, also good stylistically to watch. So tune in!” Pt. 2 of Joe’s trip to Wembley, featuring a visit to BOXPARK and Meetspace VR, to follow tomorrow… Joe Joyce v Carlos Takam for the WBC Silver and WBO International titles takes place at the SSE Arena, Wembley on July 24. Hamzah Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KOs) makes the third defence of his WBO European title against Spaniard Ezequiel Gurria (15-1, 3 KOs). Swansea’s Chris Jenkins (22-3-3, 8 KOs) will finally defend his British and Commonwealth welterweight titles against Nottingham’s Ekow Essuman (14-0, 5 KOs) after recovering from injury. In a well matched fourth title fight, Peacock gym ace Chris Bourke (9-0, 6 KOs) defends his WBC International super-bantamweight title against Bloxwich’s James Beech Jnr (12-1, 2 KOs). There is also heavyweight action featuring David Adeleye (6-0, 5 KOs), while Mill Hill’s George Fox (3-0) will make his Queensberry debut. Reading super-featherweight hope Charles Frankham (2-0, 1 KO) has also been added to the stacked bill., along with ‘The Gent’ Micky Burke Jr (4-0, 1 KO) who also returns after his first stoppage victory in November last year. Tickets are available NOW from AXS.com. Click here to buy tickets. £50 Tier £70 Floor/Tier £100 Floor £150 Floor |
TAKAM SAYS HE’LL KO JOYCE AND SETTLE SCORE WITH JOSHUA
| CARLOS TAKAM is gunning for Anthony Joshua once he has sorted out Joe Joyce at SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday July 24, live on BT Sport.The French powerhouse stepped in at just over one week’s notice to challenge AJ for his WBA and IBF World Heavyweight titles in October 2017. He went down fighting in Cardiff, losing in ten rounds to the defending champion with many fans insisting that the stoppage was premature. And there wont just be Joyce’s WBO International, WBC Silver and Commonwealth titles on the line at Wembley. KO King Joyce (12-0, 11 KOs) is ranked number two by the WBO and will be elevated into the mandatory position after Joshua has defended that title against current top contender Oleksandr Usyk. “The story between Joshua and me is not finished,” roared Las Vegas based Takam (39-5-1, 28 KOs) who is confident of snatching Joyce’s ranking and booking a Joshua rematch. Speaking on a digital Press Conference hosted by Dev Sahni, Takam added: “There is unfinished business with Joshua. That fight still hurts me. “I took that fight at ten days’ notice. The referee stopped the fight and I don’t know why. Nobody ever told me. “I was also meant to fight Usyk twice, but it never happened and he didn’t want me.” Putney’s Joyce could have looked at easier options especially as he’s assured of a WBO World title challenge next year providing he remains unbeaten. But the man who is also rated in the top ten by the WBC and IBF says: “I have had tough tests throughout my career so why stop? “This is a great fight. Takam brings an all-action fight and it is going to be a good one. I want to give the fans what they want to see. “This will lead on to some better fights, but I am not overlooking him.” Three further title clashes will take place on the undercard of Joe Joyce v Carlos Takam for the WBC Silver and WBO International titles at the SSE Arena, Wembley on July 24. Hamzah Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KOs) makes the third defence of his WBO European title against Spaniard Ezequiel Gurria (15-1, 3 KOs). Swansea’s Chris Jenkins (22-3-3, 8 KOs) will finally defend his British and Commonwealth welterweight titles against Nottingham’s Ekow Essuman (14-0, 5 KOs) after recovering from injury. In a well matched fourth title fight, Peacock gym ace Chris Bourke (9-0, 6 KOs) defends his WBC International super-bantamweight title against Bloxwich’s James Beech Jnr (12-1, 2 KOs). There is also heavyweight action featuring David Adeleye (6-0, 5 KOs), while Mill Hill’s George Fox (3-0) will make his Queensberry debut. Reading super-featherweight hope Charles Frankham (2-0, 1 KO) has also been added to the stacked bill., along with ‘The Gent’ Micky Burke Jr (4-0, 1 KO) who also returns after his first stoppage victory in November last year. Tickets are available NOW from AXS.com. Click here to buy tickets. £50 Tier £70 Floor/Tier £100 Floor £150 Floor To watch Dev Sahni’s full interview click here |
TAKAM FIRES WARNING SHOTS ACROSS JOYCE’S BOW
| THE HUGELY POPULAR heavyweight Carlos Takam has sounded a warning to Joe Joyce ahead of their collision at the SSE Arena, Wembley on July 24. The Las Vegas-based Frenchman, 39-5-1, landed on Friday ahead of his fourth assignment on British soil against the unbeaten 12-0, 2016 Olympic silver medallist who is on the cusp of being put forward as mandatory challenger by the WBO for the world title held by Anthony Joshua – and soon likely to be defended against Oleksandr Usyk. The upbeat Joyce, 35, known as the Juggernaut, has promised to ‘run over’ the two-time world title challenger in the sequel to his memorable derailing of Daniel Dubois at the end of November. Takam responded by questioning if Joyce possesses the experience to be making such bold predictions. Takam was greeted at Heathrow Airport by interviewer Dev Sahni, who got the experienced Takam’s thoughts about his upcoming bout. “He said he is going to run me over?” said the 40-year-old with a hearty chuckle. “I say good luck and I will see you on 24th July! I don’t think he is experienced enough to take out someone like me and this is going to be a big fight for him. “I don’t want to say it is a small fight or an easy fight because every fight I treat the same. I am here because I am prepared and ready for this fight and I am coming to win. Everybody says he is a tough guy so I am here and ready for that.” Takam was also bemused, rather than concerned, over claims from Joyce’s manager Sam Jones that he has been keeping tabs on his sparring sessions in Las Vegas. “Really! He said that? So he’s been seeing my sparring – what the hell! That is good but, for me, I am not going to speak about what they say. I don’t care what a manager says about me because I am just focused for the fight. “The only thing I want to say is ‘let’s do the job on 24th July. I am ready for then. Joe Joyce, I am coming’. “I don’t want to say they have made a mistake picking me. This is a good opportunity for Joe Joyce and a good opportunity for me to fight in the UK, where they have made a good thing out of boxing. “Joe Joyce, I am ready for you and I am a problem.” Three further title clashes will take place on the undercard of Joe Joyce v Carlos Takam for the WBC Silver and WBO International titles at the SSE Arena, Wembley on July 24. Hamzah Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KOs) makes the third defence of his WBO European title against Spaniard Ezequiel Gurria (15-1, 3 KOs). Swansea’s Chris Jenkins (22-3-3, 8 KOs) will finally defend his British and Commonwealth welterweight titles against Nottingham’s Ekow Essuman (14-0, 5 KOs) after recovering from injury. In a well matched fourth title fight, Peacock gym ace Chris Bourke (9-0, 6 KOs) defends his WBC International super-bantamweight title against Bloxwich’s James Beech Jnr (12-1, 2 KOs). There is also heavyweight action featuring David Adeleye (6-0, 5 KOs), while Mill Hill’s George Fox (3-0) will make his Queensberry debut. Reading super-featherweight hope Charles Frankham (2-0, 1 KO) has also been added to the stacked bill., along with ‘The Gent’ Micky Burke Jr (4-0, 1 KO) who also returns after his first stoppage victory in November last year. Tickets are available NOW from AXS.com. Click here to buy tickets. £50 Tier £70 Floor/Tier £100 Floor £150 Floor £300 VIP Hospitality To watch the full interview with Carlos Takam, click here |
JOYCE v TAKAM UNDERCARD ANNOUNCED
| FRANK WARREN has delivered a spectacular undercard to support Joe Joyce’s big Heavyweight clash against Carlos Takam at SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday July 24, live on BT. Beside’s Joyce’s WBO International, WBC Silver and Commonwealth Heavyweight championships being on the line, the Hall of Fame promoter has added three further title clashes. There will be plenty of attention on Hamzah Sheeraz after former two-weight World champion Carl Frampton branded him Britain’s best prospect and added: “If he doesn’t go on and win a world title, I’ll eat my hat.” Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KOs) makes the third defence of his WBO European title against Spaniard Ezequiel Gurria (15-1, 3 KOs). Ilford’s Sheeraz, who is highly rated in the WBO rankings for Brian Castano’s World title, will be bidding for a seventh consecutive inside-the-distance win. He won his title stopping Ryan Kelly in November 2019 and followed that up with impressive defences against Paul Kean and Guido Nicolas Pitto. Swansea’s Chris Jenkins (22-3-3, 8 KOs) will finally defend his British and Commonwealth Welterweight titles against Nottingham’s Ekow Essuman (14-0, 5 KOs) after recovering from injury. They were due to meet back in March, but Jenkins who hasn’t boxed since a technical draw against Liam Taylor in November 2019 pulled out because of a perforated eardrum. Essuman last fought in September 2020 when he outpointed Cedrick Peynaud to claim the IBF European crown. In a well matched fourth title fight, Peacock gym ace Chris Bourke (9-0, 6 KOs) defends his WBC International Super-Bantamweight title against Bloxwich’s James Beech Jnr (12-1, 2 KOs). Streatham’s Bourke has a reputation as a damaging puncher. His title winning performance when he hammered Michael Ramabeletsa inside two rounds last December is proof. Beech isn’t an easy first defence. Beech Jnr pushed Brad Foster all the way in a British and Commonwealth title challenge 12 months ago before losing on points. Warren said: “I am delighted with the undercard. All of the boys have a chance to make statements that show they are headline acts of the future. “Hamzah is now training in California and from what I am told he is impressing everyone out there. He is a real sleeper in the Super-Welterweight division, and I am with Carl Frampton in believing he reaches the very top. “Chris Bourke is a threat to any of the domestic Super-Bantamweights and I’m sure he would like to do better than Brad Foster did against James. “I am relieved that Chris Jenkins will finally get another defence after a long layoff, and am delighted to get Ekow Essuman out again. Whoever wins this fight, be it Chris or Ekow, will be well placed to kick on and start looking at World level fights. “It is a 50-50 fight and few will tip either with great conviction.” There is also Heavyweight action featuring David Adeleye (6-0, 5 KOs), who’s opponent is TBC. Elsewhere on the card, Mill Hill’s George Fox (3-0) will make his Queensberry debut, whilst Reading Super-Featherweight hope Charles Frankham (2-0, 1 KO) has also been added to the stacked bill. ‘The Gent’ Micky Burke Jr (4-0, 1 KO) also returns after his first stoppage victory in November last year. Tickets are available NOW from AXS.com. Click here to buy tickets. £50 Tier £70 Floor/Tier £100 Floor £150 Floor £300 VIP Hospitality |
JOE JOYCE FACES CARLOS TAKAM JULY 24 – MEDIA DAY QUOTES
| HALL OF FAME promoter Frank Warren today announced that Joe Joyce will face former World title challenger Carlos Takam at SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday July 24, live on BT. Joyce will be risking a guaranteed World title challenge when he tackles French star Takam (39-5-1, 28 KOs), who went ten rounds with Anthony Joshua in an IBF and WBA championship challenge in October 2017. Destructive Joyce (12-0, 11 KOs) is back in action for the first time since his win against Daniel Dubois last November when he captured the vacant European title and relieved Dubois of his British and Commonwealth titles. Putney’s Joyce is currently ranked number two by the WBO, but will move into their mandatory position after September’s proposed Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk clash. The Queensberry card is billed ‘A Heavy Night’ with Joyce v Takam taking place a few hours before Tyson Fury defends his WBC World Heavyweight crown against Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas. Here are a selection of quotes from today’s press conference. FRANK WARREN Joe has been very patient by waiting seven months for a fight and that isn’t down to us. The fact is negotiations went on for ages and came to nothing between Tyson Fury and AJ. We had to preserve Joe’s position at number two with the WBO because had that fight taken place, Joe would have fought Usyk. Everyone knows who Takam is and he can’t afford to slip up. Hopefully AJ gets his fight sorted with Usyk. Once he does, Joe will be installed as the mandatory challenger. Joe has got his seat at the table and has to do the business on the night. He has kept in great shape since beating Daniel and been chomping at the bit. The moment has come and now he has to do the business. I don’t think he will get his shot this year, but if he keeps winning he gets that WBO World title fight. In fairness to Joe and his team they didn’t want an easy fight. They wanted someone the public know and who will come to fight. Within the next year he will be challenging for a World title. JOE JOYCE When I thought I might fight Usyk, I just went to the gym, practised some southpaw techniques, but boxing is unpredictable and you never really know what is going to happen. 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, but now 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 have 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. I just need to increase my sparring and I’m ready to go. 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. It will be so much better with fans back and I can pick up their energy. I’m gonna beat up Takam, won’t be able to sleep and I will watch Tyson against Deontay. Wilder has a new trainer in Malik Scott, but is he going to be able to change enough to do much different? He has that equaliser, but Fury took it and got back up in their first fight. Fury’s skills are so much better and it looks a formality for him but is still exciting because Wilder is dangerous. I will win by stoppage or KO but wont round predict a round. SAM JONES We told Frank that we didn’t want to go backwards. We wanted to go forward. Joe wanted a tough challenge. He could have had a much easier fight, but Joe wanted Takam and that is a testament to him. Joe gets written off and people say he is slow and ponderous, but every Heavyweight that has been in there with Joe will tell you he is a whole different proposition when you have a 19 stone man coming at you constantly. He is like a wasp, a big one and will not leave you alone. Takam has muscles growing from his arm pits, is always game and gives everyone tough fights. He has been at World level and in good fights. Joe has to perform and keep his position with the WBO. This is no easy fight, but we’re confident he will do a number. Tyson Fury is a genius of fighter, but Joe on his day will beat any man. Hopefully Tyson and AJ will get it on later this year and then Joe can fight the winner. |
