JOE JOYCE wants a scorching September 24 showdown with Dillian Whyte while his world title shot is kept on ice.
Saturday’s fourth-round stoppage of tough German Christian Hammer cemented his place as the WBO’s No1 and WBC’s No2 contender.
But the 36-year-old knows WBC king Tyson Fury is waiting in the wings to face the winner of the August 20 Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk rematch, for the remaining WBA, IBF and WBO crowns.
So, while his belt dreams are on the backburner until 2023, he has targeted former sparring partner and fellow exciting Brit Whyte as his ideal keep-warm barnburner.
After demolishing Hammer with body shots at Wembley arena, Joyce said: “Dillian would be a great fight, if he wants it in September he can get it.
“I remember sparring him a long time ago when I still training in my old amateur in Earlsfield and he always threw big powerful shots so it would be exciting.
“I want to be a heavyweight world champion, I believe I have the chin and power to beat any of those top guys.
“But if I have to wait a little longer for rematches or undisputed to be decided, then Dillian would be a great fight for fans to see”.
Whyte was uppercutted out of world title contention in April by the Gyspy King but remains a promotional and broadcast free agent, so is free to negotiate with BT Sport and Frank Warren-backed Joyce.
And the fine art university graduate – who only started boxing aged 21 – knows he has to revise his leaky defence if he is intent on risking his unprotected granite chin against the 34-year-old Body Snatcher.
“I don’t mind getting him a bit,” he grinned. “I am The Juggernaut after all.
“I’m a tough guy but of course there is always room for improvement.
“I always want to learn and grown, I’ll never think I’m the finished article.
“But taking a few shots here and there also makes it more exciting for the fans.”
