Joe Joyce will fight Christian Hammer this July for his first fight of 2022 on July 2 at the OVO Arena, Wembley.
The No.1 ranked fighter by the WBO last fought in July 2021 when he beat Carlos Takam. A broken wrist has kept him out of action until now. However, Joyce's promoter Frank Warren is keen for the 36-year-old Briton to get back in the ring against Hammer.
"The most important thing is to get Joe active and confident again after injury," he said. "Christian Hammer is an experienced campaigner who will provide a decent test and give him a good fight. But obviously, we expect Joe to come through it successfully and then start preparing for a bigger showdown later this year.
"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."
Joyce is keen to take on his future rival.
"I've known about Christian Hammer for a while now," Joyce said. "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.
"I've been out of the ring for a whole year now, so it will be good to dust off the gloves and shake off the cobwebs. It is going to be a big year, this year and next, with some great fights, and I just need to be in the right place.
"I have taken myself out to the right place with this training camp here to bring out the best in me."