IF ever there was a fight fitting the term ‘crossroads,’ Joe Joyce vs. Derek Chisora would measure up perfectly.
The two Londoners have a current combined age of 78, and there is a strong argument that Chisora, 34-13 (23 KOs), in particular, should no longer be competing. But all that will be forgotten when the two veteran heavyweights headline a Queensberry Promotions card on July 27 at the O2 Arena in the English capital.
The venue has been memorable for Chisora, who has fought there nine times in the last nine years. Wins over Kubrat Pulev and Artur Szpilka, the latter a spectacular second-round knockout, are standouts on Chisora’s lengthy record. Last time out, the fan-favourite defeated American Gerald Washington over 10 rounds.
For Joyce, 16-2 (15 KOs), it wasn’t so long ago he was being talked up as a future world heavyweight champion until he ran into Zhilei Zhang on two occasions. Back-to-back losses sent ‘The Juggernaut’ down the pecking order and his comeback win against an overmatched Kash Ali in March did little to inspire confidence.
Defeat for Joyce on July 27 would be difficult to come back from but his opponent is proof you can resurrect your career, particularly if you’re popular.
Derek Chisora after his courageous losing effort against Tyson Fury on December 3 (Getty Images)
Promoter Frank Warren believes it will be a “cracking scrap”.
“This is a proper old school heavyweight fight that seems to have been a long time in the making,” he said via press release.
“I remember it being talked about strongly even before we teamed up with Joe and it has always struck me as a natural and obvious fight to make.
“Two top London heavies fighting it out for a place back at the top table promises to deliver a cracking scrap. The winner is right back in business, with no real place to go for the loser.”
The full undercard, including Dennis McCann, Henry Turner, Archie Sharp, Sean Noakes and Aadam Hamed, plus more, will be announced in the coming weeks.
