Joyce prepares for Dubois as the Germans come to town

BT Sport’s second instalment of post lockdown boxing occurs this weekend (Saturday 25th July) as 2016 Olympic Silver Medallist, Joe Joyce returns to the ring for the first time in over a year. The strong 6’6 heavyweight competes against the German Michael Wallisch in what is meant to be a tune up bout to prepare for the dangerous sensation, Daniel Dubois. Frank Warren’s Queensbury Promotions promotes.

Whilst Joyce is strong and powerful and throws a lot of punches in bunches, he can sometimes be a bit slow and plodding. He should definitely be good enough though to continue his unbeaten career with a stoppage victory. Wallisch, whilst tall and strong has been stopped in three of his last four contests, including boxers with records not too dissimilar to Joyces’, including 2016 Olympic Gold Medallist, Tony Yoka of France and another 2016 Olympian, Efe Ajagba of Nigeria.

On the undercard, is a fascinating battle between two unbeaten prospects going for the vacant Southern Area Super Bantamweight Title. Ramez Mahmood, a slick Ilford boxer has already won the Featherweight version. With only two stoppages in his 11 victories, Mahmood’s power can be questioned, although it will be interesting to see if fighting at a lower weight class will improve his power and strength. In the opposite corner to Mahmood stands the tough southpaw Chris Bourke, who has five stoppages in his seven victories.

Full credit to these two boxers for taking this fight at this stage of their careers and competing for a title that has a traditional respect within the boxing community. Too often, especially on Frank Warren shows, meaningless alphabet titles such as the WBO European Title are fed to us boxing fans as genuine straps. Quite often, well matched area title matches produce the bouts of the night, and Bourke and Mahmood are most likely to produce the most interesting fight on Saturday night BT Studios.

Valdez relentless whilst hot prospect Ortiz opens up for DAZN and Golden Boy

In news from across the pond, the relentless Mexican Oscar Valdez produced a show stopping performance to stop the determined Jayson Velez in the tenth round after knocking him to the canvas three times.

It was the second occasion that Valdez, the former WBO Featherweight champion was fighting at the 130 pound weight limit and the extra weight caused no problems for Valdez, as his left hook instead caused plenty of problems for the stricken Velez.

Valdez’s fight not only potentially set up a Mexican derby clash with WBC Super Featherweight Miguel Berchelt, but also significantly raised ESPN’s viewing figures which have been quite poor since boxing has returned despite the lack of live sport competition.

On Friday 24th July, streaming service DAZN broadcasts boxing for the first time post Coronavirus, with superb prospect Vergil Ortiz headlining. Ortiz is considered by boxing analysts to be the sports premier prospect in terms of talent and has a tough assignment at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.

The Dallas fighter, who has an unbeaten record of 15 wins with as many stoppages faces the very tough Colombian Samuel Vargas, who has based his career in Toronto, Canada. Vargas is a very respectable opponent at this stage of Ortiz’s young career, but Ortiz will definitely want to produce a statement performance and end the contest before the final bell in this twelve round contest. Vargas is best known in the UK for taking Amir Khan the distance and knocking down the “I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out” hero in a losing effort in September 2018, and he will be looking to show Ortiz some veteran tricks on the Golden Boy Promotions show.

Showtime Sports announce their post coronavirus boxing schedule

As American sports and leagues plan their returns back into action post Coronavirus; the boxing calendar is starting to fill up again with tasty fights to look forward to with more recognisable stars to be excited by than the majority C-listers that have been fighting in the States in recent weeks.

Showtime Sports return for their first broadcast on August 1st with a vancant WBO Super Bantamweight Title fight between Stephen Fulton and Angelo Leo. Two weeks later, WBC Super Middleweight Champion David Benavidez faces up against Alexis Angulo in the main event of a triple header.

Showtime PPV events also have been announced for later in the year, although it is unclear if fans will be allowed to attend events by then. The Charlo twins from Houston, Texas co-headline on September 26th against two of the toughest opponents in their respective divisions. WBC Super Welterweight champion, Jermell Charlo will attempt to unify belts when he faces IBF strap holder Jeison Rosario. Meanwhile, Jermall Charlo, who holds a version of the WBC Middleweight Title (Canelo Alvarez holds the “WBC Franchise” belt as he is the bigger star and attraction) will defend against Sergiy Derevyanchenko, who is noted for given the Kazakh Thunder, Gennady Golovkin one of the most difficult nights of his career at Madison Square Gardens.

Furthermore, former Mayweather protegy, Gervonta Davis attempts to reignite his career with his toughest test so far, against three weight champion Leo Santa Cruz on October 24th. Santa Cruz is the WBA Super Featherweight world champion whereas Davis holds a secondary belt in the lightweight division. The fight will take place at the Super Featherweight limit, however both belts will be at stake in a fight tentatively scheduled for the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut. The pair share only one defeat between them with Santa Cruz being defeated by Northern Ireland’s Carl Frampton in Brooklyn four years ago which was later revenged. Gervonta Davis has also fought a Brit as he pummelled the over matched Liam Walsh in Stratford, London three years ago, stopping the Norfolk fighter in the third round.