Joe Joyce says Carlos Takam could be the biggest test of his career, but promises to find a way to overcome his rival when they clash in Wembley next Saturday.
Joyce (12-0, 11 KOs) and Takam (39-5-1, 28 KOs) will collide in an eagerly-awaited showdown at the SSE Arena for the Brit’s WBC Silver and WBO International Heavyweight titles, live on BT Sport.
The ‘Juggernaut’ scored a career-best victory last November stopping Daniel Dubois in ten rounds, but believes the former world title challenger could be the best he’s faced and has vowed to find a way to come through.
“It’s going to be a tough one, but I think I can get the job done. I am here, ready and waiting,” Joyce said.
“I’m definitely going to try and knock out Takam. I think I will find a way sooner or later to get to him.
“Carlos is perhaps the best I have fought. He is always in shape, he is strong, he is durable and you know he can do the rounds.
“He is a problem I will have to deal with on the night and I will.”
Takam has won four on the spin since an eighth round stoppage loss to Derek Chisora in 2018, securing a unanimous decision win over Jerry Forrest in his last outing in July 2020.
The 40-year-old is familiar to the UK audience having faced Anthony Joshua on 12 days notice in 2017 in an unsuccessful challenge for his unified world Heavyweight title belt.
The Cameroonian-born Frenchman damaged Joshua’s nose during the second round after his head clattered into the Brit, but Joyce admits he has been preparing in training camp to avoid suffering a similar fate.
“It is possibly tactics and his height, but I am prepared,” the 35-year-old said.
“We have been working in training on countering that head butt. I am not going to reveal my secrets.”
Takam has been training in Las Vegas for this opportunity and despite heading in as the underdog, is fully confident of claiming his 40th professional win.
“That fight is going to be a big test for Joe Joyce,” Takam told Pro Boxing Fans.
“For me it’s not a test for me, because I’ve fought other people like [Alexander] Povetkin, [Anthony] Joshua, I’ve fought a lot of big names.
“I’m going to win my fight, definitely. That’s going to be a war, man.
“No way am I going to let Joe Joyce beat me. I’m sorry young guy, but this is my time.”
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