Joe Joyce and Lawrence Okolie are set to return to the heavyweight scene after mixed performances in recent outings.
For Joyce (16-3, 15 KOs), this is a crucial moment in his career. After building a reputation as one of the most durable heavyweights in the world, his back-to-back stoppage losses to Zhilei Zhang exposed major flaws, and a recent loss to Derek Chisora has left fans wondering what ‘The Juggernaut’ has left. The former WBO interim champion now needs a big win if he is to re-establish himself among the division’s elite.
Okolie (20-1, 14 KOs) made his heavyweight debut in December, after a brief stop-off in the bridgerweight division, in which he stopped Lukasz Rozanski inside a round to claim the WBC bridgerweight title. Okolie held the WBO Cruiserweight title until his clash with Chris Billam-Smith which ended in the first and only loss of his career.
Joe Joyce & Lawrence Okolie Opponents Revealed
Joyce is set to take on none other than Dillian Whyte (31-3, 19 KOs), a former WBC interim champion who is also on a mission to rebuild his career following a loss to Tyson Fury, a PED ban, and a lacklustre performance in his return against Ebeneezer Tetteh.
Joyce is expected to first face Patrick Korte on the first of March, though this may be cancelled if it clashes with the Whyte fight. Though both fight in a bid to get back into some big fights, it seems for Joyce, this is more than a fight against Dillian Whyte, it is a fight for his career. Many believe retirement should be on the cards for ‘The Juggernaut’ who has gone from defeating Joseph Parker and Daniel Dubois, to losing to Derek Chisora.
Okolie, on the other hand, will face Richard Riakporhe (17-1, 13 KOs).With only one loss, also to Chris Billam-Smith (who he has previously beaten), Richard Riakporhe is taking the biggest risk of his career by moving up and facing Okolie in his heavyweight debut.
The event is expected to be officially announced on Monday, setting up one of the biggest domestic boxing nights of the year.
