UNDERCARD
Joyce jumps up in class, while Selby leaps up in weight, writes Paul Wheeler
It is a big night for supporting acts Joyce and Selby at the O2 Arena
FAST-RISING heavyweight Joe Joyce is set for a step up in quality over 10 rounds on the Degale-eubank undercard, live on ITV Box Office (UK) and Showtime (US). After racing to 7-0 (7) and claiming the Commonwealth crown in just over 13 months as a pro, the 2016 Olympic silver medallist will test himself against former WBC champion Bermane Stiverne.
It was back in May 2014 that Stiverne secured world honours by stopping Chris Arreola in six rounds – his second consecutive victory over the rugged bruiser. Eight months later, the Haitian-canadian lost the title on a wide unanimous decision to Deontay Wilder, who still holds the belt today. A rematch between the pair in November 2017 resulted in an even more conclusive defeat for Stiverne, who was dropped three times and knocked out in the opener. This remains the only fight that the Las Vegas-based 40-year-old has had in over three years.
Since Stiverne last fought, Joyce has seen action six times, most recently against the outgunned Joe Hanks, whom he steamrollered through inside a round in December. The 33-year-old Putney “Juggernaut” boasts a tireless engine, which allows him to unload a vast number of punches, including jolting jabs and thumping two-fisted assaults. The stocky Stiverne, 25-3-1 (21), will attempt to chop his taller opponent down by targeting the midsection and picking his shots smartly off the back foot. He can dig, but his work is too ponderous at times, while his defence is far from impenetrable. Against someone as industrious and ruthless as Joyce, this will prove critical. Expect the Londoner to maintain his 100 per cent KO ratio.
Also on this Poxon Sports bill, Barry’s EX-IBF featherweight titlist Lee Selby, 26-2 (9), meets Wilmington, Delaware’s Omar Douglas, 19-2 (13), in a lightweight 10-rounder. Although moving up two divisions could be considered a risky choice by Selby, the 32-year-old certainly has the frame to carry the extra poundage. In fact, he is taller than Douglas, who has drifted between the super-feather and lightweight categories throughout his career. Selby himself has experience – albeit brief – of boxing at 135lbs from his early years as a pro.
For Douglas, 28, this will be his maiden appearance outside of the US. He has mixed in some decent company, so Selby cannot afford to overlook the stiff-punching American, who possesses a long reach, which he uses to good effect when jabbing and countering. Like Douglas, Selby has a solid chin, though where the silky Welshman truly excels is in his ability to create openings by utilising excellent upperbody movement. After his three-year reign as IBF king came to an end with a split points loss to the unbeaten Josh Warrington in May, Selby will be fully focused on getting back to winning ways. With his impressive ring generalship and sharp, skilful strikes, he can do just that. The pick is for Selby to triumph on the scorecards.