Joe Joyce wants two heavyweight champions in 2023
The WBO interim champion is open to the biggest names in the division.
Joe Joyce wants to fight either Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk next year.
Joyce was ringside for Fury’s last fight against Derek Chisora in north London and has been named by the WBC heavyweight champion as a potential alternative if an undisputed fight cannot be done.
A clash between Fury and Usyk has been complicated by ordered mandatory defenses for the Ukrainian world heavyweight champion against IBF nominee Filip Hrgovic, and also WBA “regular” champion Daniel Dubois.
Joyce is the WBO “interim” champion and may also feel he is due for a shot at the strap. Usyk hopes to be in the ring next March to stay sharp for what he hopes will come later in the year – a shot at a title.
“I plan to have a fight in March, while everyone else is taking a fight,” he said Sky Sports.
“For the summer [I plan to] go for a big one, like Usyk or Fury. I’ll be ready because I’ll have had one at the start of the year to get going.”
Joyce is not keen on waiting for a title shot and prefers to stay busy.
“I don’t understand why people do that. It makes them rusty because when they get the shot and also their skills, you always want to continue to improve your skills and learn and grow as a fighter and correct any mistakes, and come into these exciting fight for the fans,” Joyce added.
“It’s entertainment, not just let me hold on to my ‘0’ [undefeated record]”
A southpaw could be under consideration, as he said: “Fury is switching southpaw and Usyk is a southpaw so that would be a good idea.”