With heavyweight title contenders waiting anxiously on Anthony Joshua’s next move, Frank Warren, the U.K. promoter of Tyson Fury, has reminded people of another one of his fighters.
Joe Joyce is the current owner of a lofty ranking with the WBO and if Joshua relinquishes his belt with that governing body, then the 2016 Olympic silver medallist is in an ideal position to strike.
Joshua’s mandatory challenger for his WBO title is Oleksandr Usyk and negotiations for the pair to clash later this year are ongoing.
Eddie Hearn, the man in charge of Joshua’s career, has admitted that other options for his man exist and if the WBO gong becomes vacant then Usyk vs. Joyce would become a fight with high stakes involved.
“Should Joshua opt to give up the WBO title and face lesser opposition than Usyk, then our man Joe Joyce will be ready to take on the Ukrainian,” said Warren when speaking in his Daily Star column.
"There won't be any running from Joyce as he has been patiently biding his time for that fight. We couldn't make it as we were waiting to see if Fury against Joshua would happen and the potential legal issues that may have presented themselves.
“Joyce won't fear facing Usyk if Joshua decides he doesn't want to face his mandatory challenger. It would be a shame if Fury against Joshua is not for the undisputed crown but it is a win-win situation for us as our stable will get another world heavyweight champion.”