Olympic silver medalist Joe Joyce returns to the ring this weekend to square off with Christian Hammer at Wembley Arena. Joyce was originally pencilled in to face Joseph Parker, but complications between changing promoters put a stop to that fight, so Hammer steps in to headline a bumper night of Boxing on BT Sport.
Joyce has yet to put a foot wrong since turning pro in 2017 following his silver medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic games. Joyce knew time wasn't on his side as he turned pro at a late age, so made his debut in a 10-rounder against Ian Lewison. Joyce made history in his fourth fight, as he became the quickest heavyweight to ever win the Commonwealth title when he dismantled Lenroy Thomas. Joyce was a part of the monster Wider Vs Fury fight night in Los Angeles in 2018, where he sensationally knocked Joe Hanks out in one round in just his seventh fight.
Joyce would win the WBA Gold title in his next bout, as he stopped former WBC champ Bermane Stiverne in six rounds. Joyce was being commended for the speed he was working his way through the ranks, and in his 10th fight, he was held to his first points victory when he defeated Bryant Jennings. Joyce would face British rival, Daniel Dubois. The European, British and Commonwealth titles were on the line for this bout, and Joyce systematically broke Dubois down, causing a nasty eye injury to Dubois leading to the bout being stopped in the 10th round. Joyce faced the tough Carlos Takam last time out and got a stoppage victory in the sixth round.
Hammer has proven he is a tough, durable fighter. With a record of 27-9, Hammer can offer a threat to anyone and has been in with some of the best heavyweights that Britain offers. Hammer has squared off with WBC champion Tyson Fury in the past but was retired in the eighth round. Hammer's next trip to the UK saw him upset the odds against David Price, as Hammer climbed off the canvas to stop Price in the seventh round.
Hammer's last UK trip wasn't a successful one, as he, unfortunately, picked up a bicep injury which lead to him being pulled out at the end of the fifth round. Hammer bounced back from this defeat, as he stopped Drazan Janjanin in one round last time out.
The undercard sees Jason Cunningham look to continue the hottest run of his career, but faces an almighty tough test against former world champion Zolani Tete. Cunningham sensationally stopped Terry Le Couviour last time out in just two rounds. Tete returns to the UK for the first time since he lost his WBO title to John Riel Casemiro in 2019. Tete has since had one bout in which he knocked Iddi Kayumba out in a round.
Callum Johnson returns as he looks to move towards another world title shot. Johnson returns to defend his WBO Global light heavyweight title against Igor Mikhalkin. This bout was meant to take place in May 2020, but the pandemic put a stop to that, but the bout now goes ahead two years later. Popular middleweight Nathan Heaney brings his army of fans from Stoke on an away day to the English capital as he squares off with Nizar Trimech in a defence of his IBO International title.
Portsmouth puncher Mark Chamberlain looks to pick up the IBF European lightweight title when he meets Marc Vidal in the biggest fight in Chamberlain's career to date. Micky Burke will look to move to 7-0 as he faces the Serge Ambomo.
Henry Turner returns and looks to move to 8-0 as he faces Jakub Laskowski over six rounds. Arnold Obodai will look to build on his debut as he returns to the ring for his second fight.
Finally, cruiserweight Tommy Fletcher makes his debut on this stacked bill at Wembley Arena. The card will be broadcast on BT Sport 1 from 7 pm on Saturday.