By Jack Tiernan: The ‘Juggernaut’ Joe Joyce (14-0, 13 KOs) looked impressive in dispatching seasoned veteran Christian Hammer (27-10, 17 KOs) by a fourth-round knockout on Saturday night in an entertaining clash at the Wembley Arena in London, England.
This is the first of what the unbeaten 2016 Olympic super heavyweight silver medalist Joyce hopes to be three fights in 2022.
Ranked #1 WBO & #2 WBC, Joyce started a little slowly in the first round, but then relentlessly went after the 34-year-old Hammer beginning in round three.
Joyce dropped Hammer in the last stages of the third round, and then went for the finish in the fourth, dropping the tough veteran three times to get the knockout. The bout was halted at 1:20 of round four.
“Yeah, he gave me a good performance and gave it his all. He hit me with some good shots, and he’s a tough and game opponent,” said Joe Joyce to Boxing Social after his fourth-round knockout win over Christian Hammer.
“I really enjoyed it and it sets me up nicely for the next one,” Joyce continued. “I’ll do better and try and not get hit early on and stuff and get back in training camp with [Ismael] Salas to keep learning, improving and adding to my arsenal.
“I don’t mind too much. ‘I’m the Juggernaut,'” said Joyce when told that he’d been hit a little too much tonight by Hammer. “So, I can take the punches and take the knocks I’m a tough guy, but there’s plenty of room for improvement.
“I want to continue to learn, improve and grow. I’m not the finished article yet, but it’s exciting for the people, for the fans,” said Joyce.
“Actually, I kind of predicted it because I was thinking around four to six,” Joyce about the rounds that he had predicted he’d knockout Hammer.
“I said to a few people, ‘Four,’ so maybe that subconsciously, but yeah, those body shots, he didn’t like them. He went down a couple of times. I think he went down three times in there.
“So credit for him to give it all he’s got. He’s a good fighter. I enjoyed it. I got a new helmet, but I’ve got to spraypaint it. Maybe I’ll bring it out for another fight,” said Joyce about his ring outfit that he failed to wear for the ring walk tonight. “Well, it’s Juggernaut-esque.
“Whoever. I think there’s a list of 20 names we need through after the fight, so any one of them,” said Joyce when asked who he’ll face next. “It’s good. I hope I’ll be fighting a bit more regularly now.
“I’ve got a September date, and then hopefully one more before the years out. Next year will be an exciting year, and then maybe I can capture some of those big titles.
“Yeah, that would be a great fight,” said Joyce when asked if he’d be interested in taking on Dillian Whyte next. “Anyone that wants it, I’m here. It’s a good fight.
“I sparred him years ago, but it would be a good fight. He’s a tough, game opponent and he hits with some power shots, so it’ll be exciting. Another exciting fight.
“I think I’ll have to go back and watch the replay because when you’re in there, it’s difficult to work it out,” Joyce said about his thoughts on what he learned from his trainer Salas that he applied for the Hammer fight tonight.
“I’ll go back and have a look and analyze my performance. ‘Oh, I got caught there.’ There’s stuff and things to improve. I’ve got a few things to do before I go on holiday. I’m going to chill out, and then I’ll be back in Vegas for the next one,” said Joyce.