Joyce Destroys Jozic, Targets Chisora Next

Heavyweight Joe Joyce set himself up for a potential showdown with Dereck Chisora at the York Hall in London on Friday night by scoring a first round ko win over Rodolf Jozic.

Joyce’s promoter David Haye said he wants to see him take on former world title challenger Chisora on the undercard of his May 5 rematch with bitter rival Tony Bellew.

Speaking after Joyce’s victory, Haye revealed that Hayemaker Ringstar are willing to offer Chisora a lucrative pay-day to take the fight at the O2 Arena in London. “We are willing to offer Dereck a sizeable six-figure pay day to take the fight,” Haye said. “It would be worth as much as Chisora’s European Heavweight title shot against reigning undefeated 14-0 Champion, Agit Kabayel”, insisting Joyce is a match for the best heavyweights in Britain. The ‘Juggernaut’, started supremely against Jozic with a powerful flurry of body shots. And then deep into the opening exchanges, Joyce’s right hook sent Jozic spiralling to the canvas to bring an early end to the proceedings. "I made sure I got a good warm-up and was straight in and ready to go," reflected Joyce. Haye, also satisfied with Joyce’s performance, added: “I was very happy. He landed beautifully."

On the undercard fellow Ringstar stablemate Willy Hutchinson improved to 3-0 by out-pointing Eric over six rounds. The Scottish teenager, 19, flew out of the blocks with a series of ferocious punches. The onslaught continued into the second with Hutchinson underlining his exciting potential, landing a barrage of heavy blows. Yet Mokonzo stood firm and traded back in the third when he shook the teen with a fierce jab to force a bloodied nose. Hutchinson, backed by a lively Scottish contingent, recovered well and forced the referee to dock his opponent a point for holding on in the fourth. Patience proved a virtue for Hutchinson as he made a breakthrough to knock down the local fighter in the fifth round. And ‘Braveheart’ Hutchinson eventually ended Mokonzo’s resilience to score a deserved, unanimous decision from the judges after six rounds.

Elsewhere on the card, Islington welterweight Freddy ‘Pretty Boy’ Kiwitt pushed Mitcham’s Jumanne Camero to the limit in a cracking contest, claiming a 78-76 win on points.

London lightweight Mo Gharib, 25, opened the evening with a 40-36 points victory over Devon’s Jamie Speight to extend his unbeaten start in the professional ranks to two wins from two.

Hayes based welterweight Jack Newham, meanwhile, was another young fighter to display his promise. The 21-year-old was put to the test but overcame Jan Korec, 40-36 on points. His record now stands at 3-0.

Fellow welterweight Sam Gilley delighted the East End crowd as the local Walthamstow boy defeated Daniel Bazo. The 23-year-old delivered a right hook to send Bazo to the canvas early on in the second. He then floored Bazo once more before the Czech fighter’s corner retired him ahead of the third round. ‘Magic Man’ Gilley‘s record remains unblemished at 4-0.

Anesu Twala also protected his flawless record, moving to 4-0 following his 40-37 super lightweight points victory over Cardiff’s Rhys Saunders. The Zimbabwean-born Lewisham fighter, 26, lived up to his ‘Bad News’ nickname in a dominating display. Dean Richardson dispatched Czech veteran Jan Balog to stretch his perfect record to 6-0. The Middlesex welterweight looked a class apart and claimed a convincing 40-36 landslide with the judges. And Luton‘s Linus Udofia saw off late stand-in opponent William Warburton in a 40-36 points win to improve his record to 7-0.

Results in full:

Heavyweight, 6 rounds x 3 mins

Joe Joyce beat Rudolf Jozic, first round KO

Welterweight, 8 rounds x 3 mins

Jumanne Camero Freddy Kiwitt, 78-76 on points

Light heavyweight, 6 rounds x 3 mins

Willy Hutchinson beat Eric Mokonzo, 60-52 on points

Middleweight, 4 rounds x 3 mins

Linus Udofia beat William Warburton, 40-36 on points

Welterweight, 4 rounds x 3 mins

Dean Richardson Jan Balog, 40-36 on points

Super lightweight, 4 rounds x 3 mins

Anesu Twala beat Rhys Saunders, 40-37 on points

Welterweight, 4 rounds x 3 mins

Sam Gilley beat Daniel Bazo, retired after two rounds

Welterweight, 4 rounds x 3 mins

Jack Newham beat Jan Korec, 40-36 on points

Lightweight, 4 rounds x 3 mins

Mo Gharib beat Jamie Speight, 40-36 on points