Joyce vs Takam Analysis and Prediction

Joe Joyce (12-0, 11KO) vs Carlos Takam (39-5-1, 28KO)

Heavyweight (200+)

WBC Silver Heavyweight Title

WBO International Heavyweight Title

Joe Joyce

Well, well, well. Joyce finally seems to have earned the respect he deserves. Harshly snubbed the Olympic Gold, Joyce has spent much of his professional career under the cosh from fans. Obviously, the robotic interviews haven’t aided his self-marketing, but Joyce’s style isn’t the most attractive to watch. Even during the early stages of his career, Joyce lumbered to stoppage victories over Bermane Stiverne’s corpse, Iago Kiladze and arguably lost on points to Bryant Jennings. Despite coming on top in 50/50 exchanges, the awkward rock-em-sock-em robot arm punches belie the power Joyce’s heavy hands are delivering.

The victory over Daniel Dubois was a jabbing masterclass. Joyce showcased his expert game planning and mental strength, as he remained true to his jab even during the sketchier early rounds. By limiting his shots mostly to the lead hand, Joyce used his right hand to parry Dubois’ jab and prevent the younger fighter from settling into any rhythm. Having never won the jabbing battle before, Dubois was left clueless by the middle rounds as he was unable to set his preferred tempo. Instead, Joyce continued to probe with his jab and clocked up regular rounds. While Dubois did land some heavy artillery, especially during the second round, Joyce’s chin and ability to see every shot coming meant he survived relatively comfortably.

Against Takam, expect Joyce to show a similar level of respect that was given to Dubois’ dynamite. Worryingly, Michael Wallisch was able to land somewhat freely on the inside during their three-round war. With a 5″ height advantage (no reach difference, however), and considerable weight difference, Joyce can choose to wrap up Takam in the pocket. Weighing down on his older opponent will drain the gas tank and enable the Brit to reset his feet (a glaring hole in Joyce’s game). If Joyce can ride through an early struggle, his relentless volume will surely find the kill during the championship rounds.

Carlos Takam

Age is a funny number in boxing. At first glance, only five years is separating Joyce (35) and Takam (40). While Heavyweight is a division with the longest grace period for older technical fighters, it is also the least forgiving in regards to athletic decline. Takam hasn’t fallen off a cliff just yet, but there are many miles clocked on his body. Victories over Senad Gashi and Fabio Maldonado have served well to keep Takam active in the WBC and WBO rankings, but they are hardly top scalps.

Perhaps most indicative of the state of Takam was his TKO loss to Chisora. While the well-loved Brit has long been a career underachiever, Takam poured everything into the first six rounds with little to show for. With Joyce’s granite chin, Takam is going to have an even harder job at towering the skyscraper. Worse yet, Joyce may at times look plodding and methodical, but his relentless volume cannot be denied. For Takam to spend everything early in search of the stoppage has a slim chance of succeeding. If it fails though, Takam effectively guarantees a Joyce victory via attritional warfare. Worse yet for Takam, he has failed to stop an opponent in his last three. To go the distance with forty-one year old Brazilian, Fabio Maldonado is pretty woeful.

There is a lot left to love with Takam though. Freakish reach for his height combines with a low lead hand to spear out a powerful jab at awkward angles. Although the hand speed has slowed, Takam torques his right hook around an opponent’s guard, who misjudge the Cameroonian’s reach. The feet are certainly gone from beneath Takam though. Either pressing opponents to the ropes and teeing off to the body with foreheads touching or standing stoic in the centre and swinging, Takam employs a crushing style. Unfortunately for Takam, it is a style based on durability and volume. With a weathered chin and spluttering gas tank, he struggles to keep his old pace for longer than a minute during the later rounds.

Predicted Result: Joyce TKO Round 7

There is a lot left to love with Takam. Freakish reach for his height combines with a low lead hand to spear out a powerful jab at awkward angles. Setting a gruelling early pace, Takam presses opponents to the ropes, tees off to the body, and counters as opponents attempt to reset. Unfortunately for Takam, it is a style based on durability and volume. Even against the corpse of Fabio Maldonado, Takam struggled to dictate position after the early rounds and his lack of legs were visible. If Joyce survives the early barrage, the Brit pushes a similarly relentless volume on the front foot and will have ample opportunity to unravel Takam’s lazy feet during the later rounds.

Joyce’s victory over Daniel Dubois was a jabbing masterclass. Showcasing expert game planning and mental strength, Joyce remained true to his jab even during the sketchier early rounds. Joyce’s chin was called upon during the second round, in particular, benefiting as well from seeing all of Dubois’ shots coming. Against Takam, Joyce can utilise his 5″ height advantage and considerable weight difference to wrap up Takam. Weighing on the older man will drain the already suspect gas tank and reset position if Joyce finds himself against the ropes. Expecting tense early rounds as Joyce soaks up the pressure, before pulling away in the middle rounds against a flailing Takam.

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