Joe Joyce has backed Tyson Fury to defeat Dillian Whyte but fancies his chances against the current WBC champion.
Fury takes on his mandatory challenger this weekend in only his second-ever title defence, at Wembley Stadium.
Elsewhere, Anthony Joshua and the division’s other world champion, Oleksandr Usyk, are planning to have their rematch in July to contest the IBF, WBA and WBO belts, with Joyce currently ranked number one in the latter’s rankings. While it is anticipated that the winners of Fury vs. Whyte and Joshua vs. Usyk will face off later this year to settle the designation of undisputed heavyweight champion, the belts could then be vacated as more boxers demand their own rankings translate into title fights.
36-year-old Joyce is also ranked at No. 2 by the WBC, meaning he has a strong claim to a fight in the relatively near future, and Joyce believes he would have a chance if he fought Fury.
‘Fury is such a big draw now, he commands so much respect,’ Joyce told Metro.co.uk.
“It is going to be a great fight. But I see Fury at range picking Dillian off with the jab and getting the win.
“That is unless Whyte can utilise good head movement, get inside and work the body and head. It will be an exciting fight for sure.”
Joyce is expected to take on former WBO belt holder Joseph Parker at some point this summer, but he is looking beyond his next match.
“I have quite a unique style, with the pressure I put on fighters and my punch output, also my power,” he stated.
“It is a relentless style. I don’t think he [Fury] has really have to deal with that before.
“He did a bit of that in the third Wilder fight. But Fury can switch it up, no doubt. For me it would be a hard fight for sure but definitely one that people would want to see.
“It should be an easy fight to make.”