Joe Joyce-Derek Chisora talks about the Queensberry card on July 27 in London
IF there was ever a fight to fit the term 'crossroads,' Joe Joyce vs. Derek Chisora would be a perfect fit.
Both Londoners are 78, and there is a strong argument that Chisora, 34-13 (23 KOs), in particular, should not compete. But all that will be forgotten when the two veterans headline the Queensberry Promotions card on July 27 at the O2 Arena in England's capital.
This place will never be forgotten by Chisora, who has fought in it nine times in the last nine years. Wins over Kubrat Pulev and Artur Szpilka, the latter a stunning second-round result, are the highlights of Chisora's long record. In the final, the fan favorite defeated American Gerald Washington over 10 rounds.
For Joyce, 16-2 (15 KOs), it wasn't long before he was talked about as a future heavyweight champion of the world until he faced Zhilei Zhang twice. Back-to-back losses sent 'The Juggernaut' into a tailspin and his comeback win against the overmatched Kash Ali in March did nothing to inspire confidence.
Joyce's defeat on July 27 will be difficult to come back from but his opponent is proof that you can resurrect your career, especially if you are famous.
Derek Chisora after his valiant effort to lose to 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 like it's been a long time coming,” he said in a press release.
“I remember it being talked about a lot even before we teamed up with Joe and it always struck me as a natural and obvious battle to fight.
“Two of London's top players who are fighting to get back to the top have promised to bring the rubbish. The winner is back in business, he has no real place to go to the loser.”
The full undercard, including Dennis McCann, Henry Turner, Archie Sharp, Sean Noakes and Aadam Hamed, as well as others, will be announced in the coming weeks.
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