One of the leading boxing promoters in the world Frank Warren has announced that Britain’s Joe Joyce is on the verge of becoming a WBO heavyweight mandatory challenger.
Joyce, 36, is undefeated in the pro ranks and is currently ranked #2 in the WBO rankings, just behind the “Super” champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Joyce became a mandatory challenger in the summer of 2021 when he defeated Carlos Takam, but his status was pending because of the September clash between Anthony Joshhua and then mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk.
Since the Ukrainian defeated Joshua, now the two parties are negotiating the rematch, but Usyk – Joshua 2 won’t be staged any earlier than March 2022. According to Warren, whoever comes on top, will have to defend the belt against Joe Joyce.
“We’re waiting for the WBO to decide what they’re going to do regarding their mandatory for Usyk,” Warren told Pro Boxing Fans.
“They’ll probably allow Usyk another fight in between. They’ve called for a rematch with AJ. But the winner of that will have to fight Joyce.”
Asked if the Londoner would fight in the interim, Warren replied: “We’ve got to wait to see what they say. Then when we know what they say we can then make our decision.”
