Joshua vs Takam: Joe Joyce backs Anthony Joshua to land an 'entertaining' win
Friday 27 October 2017 18:30, UK
Joe Joyce has backed Anthony Joshua to land a knock-out victory when he defends his world heavyweight crown against Carlos Takam on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
The up-and-coming British heavyweight thinks Takam has the ability to make sure fight fans are entertained but can't see the Frenchman causing too many problems for the man who Joyce used to regularly spar.
Joyce came through the British ranks behind Joshua and the 32-year-old won his first fight as a pro last weekend, having claimed a silver medal at the Olympics last summer.
Joyce told Sky Sports News: "I have known AJ for seven or eight years.
"He started boxing maybe a season before me, around the same era on the domestic amateur scene, and then he got onto the GB set-up and then I got onto the GB set-up.
"So, I have been playing catch-up ever since, but we have done countless rounds in sparring.
"He has brought me on, I have brought him on, and it has been really great to be around him.
"You can hear his laugh when he is there and he is a friendly guy. It was a fun time for me when I was on (Team) GB."
Regarding Saturday's bout, Joyce has no doubt Takam deserves a shot at the title but thinks the 36-year-old will be outgunned by the unbeaten Joshua, who has yet to be taken the distance.
"Takam looks in good nick and is a great boxer so it should be an entertaining fight," said Joyce.
"Respect to him for taking the fight at short notice but I don't think he is going to pose too much of a problem.
"You are only one shot away from disaster but I can see it going, probably early rounds, AJ knockout."
Joshua weighed in at a career-high 18st 2lbs on Friday ahead of the bout but Joyce does not see that as a matter of concern.
"I think he trains hard, so he has probably put on a bit more muscle," said Joyce.
"I think I was heavier for my debut than I would have been at the Olympic Games.
"I think at heavyweight you just have to make sure you are in tip-top shape, you feel fast and sharp, and you are not sluggish, carrying those extra few pounds."
Joyce has only had one pro fight but there is already talk of him facing British champion Sam Sexton.
Asked if a fight with old sparring partner Joshua might one day come to fruition, Joyce added: "Possibly.
"I am on my own journey so I will deal with whoever comes in my path. Who knows, it could come to that, and it would be a great fight to watch if it happens."
