Joe Joyce vs Derek Chisora – Who wins and why?
Likeable Londoners Joe ‘Juggernaut’ Joyce (16-2, 15KO) and Derek ‘WAR’ Chisora (34-13, 23KO) clash in the country’s capital this Saturday night, live on TNT Sports, as the heavyweights headline the O2 Arena in the 12-round main event of a stacked Queensberry Promotions card.
Putney puncher Joyce has dropped down to WBO #14 and is looking to claw his way back up to the top spot with a win over respected veteran Chisora, but the Finchley fighter is still a handful for anyone despite his advanced age of 40.
Both boxers come into the fight with a victory behind them, Joyce stopping Kash Ali in the 10th and final round of their March 2023 showdown, and Delboy defeating American Gerald Washington on points almost a year ago now.
BBN asked their panel of experts who they think wins and why…
Zhilei Zhang, Former WBO World Interim heavyweight champion: “I believe that Joe Joyce is slowly coming back to himself, putting his pieces together.
“Chisora is no walkover. He’s a tough guy. I hope Joe Joyce can put everything together.”
Abel Sanchez, Former trainer to Joe Joyce: “Toe to toe slugfest. Chisora is limited and getting old, Joe Joyce has stopped learning, maybe by his choosing or nobody willing to improve him, toughness and grit don’t last forever.”
Wayne Alexander, Former British, European, World champion: “Both of these fighters are past their best, in my eyes, more so Derek Chisora, who is years past his peak years and should have retired a long time ago.
“I believe that Chisora is made for Joe Joyce and will just plod onto shots with ease throughout the fight until the referee has seen enough and stops the fight between six and nine rounds.”
Oskari Metz, European title contender: “Both fighters have truly lived up to their nicknames.
“Joyce’s losses to Zhang were certainly tough, but Zhang might just be Joyce’s kryptonite.
“Chisora is shorter and lighter than the southpaw Zhang, so I don’t think Joyce’s losses to Zhang would give many hints as to how Joyce will fare against Chisora.
“Chisora, on the other hand, has had a longer pro career, which includes more fights and, more importantly, more losses Joyce’s camp can learn from.
“In the end, it’s a tough call, but my money would be on Joe Joyce to take this one.”
Ben Day, Former Southern Area champion: “If Derek wants to fight, let him fight; no one can tell a man to retire.
“Very difficult to pick – whoever lands that bomb, you can’t write Derek off.”
Tim Rickson, BBN Editor: “Both boxers are hittable and bring pressure and aggression, so this should be an action-filled fight.
“The Juggernaut has been able to absorb every opponent’s best shots, apart from Zhilei Zhang, who was just too powerful, heavy and accurate. He’s taken Carlos Takam and Daniel Dubois’ biggest punches and just walked through them. In his last fight with Kash Ali, he kept getting caught flush by that overhand right, but he would just blink then continue forward again. Eventually, he broke Ali down until he was exhausted, admirably holding on until the final 30 seconds of the fight. Joyce breaks his opponents down over time, then gets to them late on when they’ve got nothing left.
“Chisora is as tough as they come; too tough for his own good. His signature overhand right is the punch that he knows will be the most successful, and if he lands it often enough then it could really cause some trouble and lasting damage, as we have already seen that Joyce can be marked up under sustained damage. However, Chisora is not known for his power like Zhang or Dubois is, but he will certainly be looking to test that chin after Zhang laid down the blueprint for him.
“Although I think there’s an equally good chance this could go to points, I’m going to go with a Joyce stoppage win in the later rounds 9-10. The referee or Chisora’s corner may have to be the ones to step in if it edges towards the championship rounds.”
Geoffrey Ciani, Rummy’s Corner: “I do believe this is a better matchup than most are expecting. Not only do I believe Chisora will have an easier time evading incoming fire against someone as slow as Joyce, but I likewise believe he will find it easier to land that big overhand right because of Joyce’s lack of defence.
“For my official prediction, I’m going for the upset, and I believe Chisora will have one last hurrah notable victory before his career ends. I know it’s been almost five years since Chisora scored a knockout but I believe he will stop Joyce, so Derek Chisora by 10th round knockout is my prediction.”
Marshall Kauffman, King’s Promotions: “I must go with Joe Joyce, based off his activity, even though he has come up short lately I still think that he has what it takes to beat Chisora in a decision, but if he loses focus for a second he could end up being KO’d at any time in the fight.
“Chisora has not fought in a year and it took him the full 10 rounds to defeat a washed-up and heartless Gerald Washington, so how can we expect him to beat Joyce, who is bigger than Washington and has been battle-tested against better opposition than what Washington had, but this is why boxing is so unique because one punch can change everything especially in the heavyweight division.”
Louis Robinson, Boxing trainer: “I think if Joyce goes back to basics and keeps him long and works off the jab, like we seen him against Dubois a few years ago, then I think it should be a routine win, but having said that we all know what Chisora brings and if he is on it, he won’t let Joyce settle and could make this a very, very bad night for Joyce!
“But I’m going to stick with my head and say Joyce late stoppage or points win.”
Anish Parekh BBN writer: “It’s an intriguing matchup between two men who are fighting to remain relevant. The loser would be left with few options besides becoming a “named opponent” for up and coming talent to feed off.
“Zhang showed us how to beat Joyce. Be active early, slip the jab and throw fast, hard and accurate punches to stifle Joyce and prevent him from gaining momentum.
“It’s easier said than done but with Joyce suffering two stoppage losses, the second of which has become a hightlight reel favourite, perhaps his famed durability isn’t what it used to be.
“Chisora inhibits the fearlessness to attack without trepidation and will go all out to test Joyce’s chin. Whilst he may have successes that draw gasps from a collectively wincing crowd, the punches will lack the power and crispness to fully incapacitate the Juggernaut.
“As Chisora tires, Joyce will grow in confidence, up the ante and shift the momentum in his favour, busting up his opponent with jabs and setting a pace too intense to withstand, which will ultimately lead to a merciful referee intervention in the latter rounds.”
Bogdan Musat, Manager & matchmaker: “Joyce looked bad in his fights with Zhang and is now 38. Chisora is 40 and with no speed remaining in his hands.
“I am not expecting fireworks in this fight and I will go ultimately with Joyce stopping Chisora in the late rounds.”
Sam Condy, BBN writer: “Joe Joyce looks to continue his comeback, following two defeats to Zhilei Zhang last year. Taking on Chisora would appear a major step up in competition for Joyce, with his last fight coming through a win over Kash Ali.
“Although Chisora is a big name – once a two-time world title challenger – I feel he may have lost a step and Joyce will be looking to take advantage of his opponent’s apparent decline.
“Chisora has only won two of his last four bouts, with his two wins coming over fighters with little boxing pedigree.
“Joyce should take advantage of Chisora’s recent struggles, and look to come out fast and strong. However, it will be interesting to see what Zhang took out of him. While he got a win over Ali it wasn’t the most entertaining fight and certainly wasn’t what we have come to expect from Joyce.
“I’m leaning towards Joyce on this one, I think he still has enough in the tank to overwhelm and eventually stop Chisora, though I don’t think we will see a particularly impressive showing from either man, with a cagey first few rounds as they both find their feet.”