Carlos Takam reveals what really happened in Las Vegas
Joe Joyce (12-0, 11 KOs) could have got up close and personal with Carlos Takam (39-5-1, 28 KOs) once before. Arrangements were made for the pair to spar in Las Vegas, but his rival’s trainer got cold feet and pulled the plug.
In a video call between the two rivals, Joyce said: “I assumed he didn’t want the smoke.
“Sam Jones sorts my sparring when I am in America training and I thought I would be sparring with Takam, but I was told he wasn’t sparring.”
Frenchman Takam defended his trainer, explaining: “I said ‘why not?’ when I was asked to spar with Joe. My trainer said he didn’t want me to spar with him because he felt we would fight.
“I was okay to spar, but my coach said; ‘One day you are going to fight that guy.’ Anyway what is the smoke?”
“What’s the smoke?” Joyce replied. “You’re going to get the smoke.”
Spies in the Camp
Joyce's manager Sam Jones has hinted that he has spies in the camp of big fight rival Carlos Takam.
Several of Sam’s tweets might be mind games ahead of their Heavyweight blockbuster at SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday July 24, live on BT Sport.
In a recent message Jones tweeted: “Good sparring session again yesterday @carlos_takam the way your (sic) picking the pace up towards the end of the rounds is very impressive.”
But Takam appeared unsettled when Queensberry’s Dev Sahni asked him about Team Joyce getting info from Takam’s camp, snapping: “I don’t know how he got that information, but I don’t give a f**k.”
Takam who will be challenging for Joyce’s WBO International, WBC Silver and Commonwealth Heavyweight titles added: “I don’t want to speak about that. I just want to focus on the fight.”
Joyce was also coy about whether he has inside info, saying: “You’ll have to find out if we have spies in his camp. I am not divulging any information.
“I am ready. It’s going to be a great fight. May the best man win and that will be me.”
Headcase
Takam’s head work has caused problems for opponents in the past including Anthony Joshua when they clashed in Cardiff in October 2017.
Joshua came through the IBF and WBA World title defence in the tenth round but had difficultly breathing throughout when Takam’s head clattered into his nose during the second round.
Joshua compared Takam to Evander Holyfield when he brought his head up, and said afterwards: “It was harder than a punch – bone on bone.”
Joyce is aware of the dangers especially as he is 6ft 6in tall and has a five inch height advantage over his Cameroon born rival.
Putney’s Joyce said: “It is possibly tactics and his height, but I am prepared.
“We have been working in training on countering that head butt. I am not going to reveal my secrets.
“It’s going to be a tough one, but I think I can get the job done. I am here, ready and waiting.
“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.”
How to watch Joe Joyce vs Carlos Takam
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