BOXING: Joe Joyce targeting Las Vegas showdown with Deontay Wilder after backing ‘The Bronze Bomber’ to beat Robert Helenius

Joe Joyce targeting Las Vegas showdown with Deontay Wilder after backing ‘The Bronze Bomber’ to beat Robert Helenius. Joe Joyce is dreaming of a Las Vegas showdown with Deontay Wilder at some point down the line.

The 37-year-old Briton underlined his world title credentials with a devastating knockout victory over former champion Joseph Parker in September.

The victory saw Joyce pick up the ‘interim’ WBO title, leaving him well positioned for a shot against full champion Oleksandr Usyk, with Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Wilder also on the Olympian’s hitlist.

Wilder will fight for the first time in a year in New York on Saturday night as he takes on Robert Helenius, determined to force his way back into the world title picture after two bruising defeats to Tyson Fury.

The ‘Bronze Bomber’ plans to fight for three more years before hanging up his gloves with Joyce eager for a showdown State-side before then.

Joe Joyce targeting Las Vegas showdown with Deontay Wilder after backing ‘The Bronze Bomber’ to beat Robert Helenius. Joyce has made Vegas his home away from home, basing his training camps out in Nevada since linking up with trainer Ismael Salas ahead of his clash with Daniel Dubois in 2020.

The heavyweight has made the journey back to the UK for his last four fights but having settled in the US, would welcome a huge fight in the boxing capital of the world.

Discussing an ideal three-fight plan, Joyce told Metro.co.uk: ‘Anthony Joshua, Oleksandr Usyk then Tyson Fury. That would be a good run. If I get them three fights I would be happy. But Wilder has to be in there somewhere as well, in Vegas.

‘I’m very settled in Las Vegas, there are great facilities out there. There is so much going on there, all the boxers, all the UFC fighters, it is quite easy to get sparring sorted. There’s a bit of sun too. All the ingredients for a great training camp. Maybe we could have the Wilder fight out there.’

Wilder held the WBC title for over six years, claiming the title when he defeated Bermane Stiverne before losing to Fury in February 2021.

Up against the experienced Helenius, who comes into their fight after two superb wins over Adam Kownacki, Wilder will hope to deliver a firm reminder of the threat he poses to the rest of the division.

‘Of course, he is still up there, he has always got that equalizer,’ Joyce said. ‘I have seen him in the gym with Malik Scott [Wilder’s trainer]. I’ve spent a lot of time with Malik Scott, he was a good fighter when I sparred with him and what he is doing with Wilder is adding more elements to his game and we will see that on Saturday.

‘Wilder is quite patient, he knows how to wait and measure those power shots. I have never sparred him but what from what I have seen and what I have heard from those who have sparred him, he hits the hardest. Lots of soreheads after those sessions.’

Wilder’s destructive one-shot power coupled with Joyce’s astonishing durability and rock-solid chin make a fight between the two one of the most compelling in heavyweight boxing.

Those thoughts were echoed by Scott this week, who backed his man to find the shots to trouble Joyce.

‘If you can’t knock Joe Joyce out then it’s going to be very hard to beat him by a decision – because he just keeps coming,’ Scott told Fighthype. ‘I believe if there’s a man for the job, to see if he can handle that type of heat, then it’s Deontay Wilder because Deontay’s got the power factor – the equaliser.

‘Joyce has got a chin. The narrative now is becoming ‘just how good is his chin – I wonder if he can take Wilder’s power?’ But the question is – how many of those can he take?

‘Joe Joyce is a bad night for anyone – and if you can’t knock him out, then God be with you.’

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