Joyce vs Chisora Predictions: The ‘Juggernaut’ rolls into the capital

Joe Joyce takes on Derek Chisora this Saturday, July 27 in a titanic heavyweight tussle. This battle of the British big men takes place at the O2 Arena in London. The fight will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1. 

Here are my Joyce vs Chisora predictions ahead of what they’re calling ‘Go Big or Go Home’.

This feels like a fight pitting a man who needs it against a man who really does not. Joyce is still smarting from twin-defeats to Zhilei Zhang last year. Since then he has notched an unconvincing victory over Kash Ali. 

Chisora, meanwhile, is on a run of four defeats in his last six bouts. He did manage a win last time out, against over-the-hill Gerald Washington. But most fans do not want to see Chisora continue to risk his health after years of brutal wars.

This fight will sell because the men involved are big names. Joyce is an Olympic silver medalist and has been near the top of the tree for years now. Chisora is an ever-present who has fought almost every significant heavyweight of the last two decades. 

It is an intriguing bout too, if one does not peel back the layers. Joyce needs a win. Chisora has, in the past, shown himself to be a tough night for the division’s best men. Logically, a loss for either man would be enough to end their hopes.

The problem with that prognosis is that a defeat probably won’t end the journey of a man who has given us more than enough. Chisora has risked everything for years and, worryingly, he is showing no signs of stopping.

Fighters who are 34-13 do not usually enjoy the sort of fame and popularity that Derek Chisora does. But it is his willingness to take on all comers and his controversial yet magnetic personality that has made him a huge name in the British fight game.

Three fights with Oleksandr Usyk plus battles with Vitali Klitschko, David Haye, Oleksandr Usyk, Dillian Whyte and Joseph Parker. A lot of fighters say they will fight anyone but few have proved it so thoroughly. 

Chisora lost these fights but wins over Kubrat Pulev, David Price, Artur Szpilka, Carlos Takam and Malik Scott show that the former British, Commonwealth and European champion has never just been a punching bag. The trouble is, that is exactly what he is at risk of becoming.

It is very difficult to pinpoint a Chisora bout that has not been an utter war. When you are having those wars with some of the best fighters of your generation, they take an even greater toll. At the age of 40 and with his legacy assured, why would Chisora consent to what looks like a near-impossible job against Joyce?

For his part, ‘Juggernaut’ is not at his peak either. But he is a young 38 in fighting terms while Chisora is a shop-worn 40. Joyce has a mere 18 fights compared to 47 for ‘Del Boy’. Freshness is far more important than numerical age in boxing and considering their relative professional experience, Joyce might as well be a decade younger than his foe.

Joyce has had his share of wars, of course. His win over Parker was a terrific tussle. The Zhang losses came in fights where no quarter was asked and none was given. But the psychological scars seem more prominent than the physical ones from those damaging losses. 

Against Ali in March, Joyce showed little of the sharpness or danger he usually displays. Against an average opponent, ‘Juggernaut’ mistimed his punches and struggled to pin down his man. It was an atypical Joyce display, but it was the only sample we have to go on post-Zhang.

What we have is a somewhat-intriguing, somewhat-galling matchup between two big name heavyweights whose best days are behind them. Let’s hope it is remembered for the right reasons.

Joyce vs Chisora Fight Odds

Joyce is 1/5 to get the win here, a reflection of that aforementioned freshness and where Chisora is these days. Ol’ ‘Del Boy’ is out at 18/5 while the draw is priced at 22/1. Considering the power on show in this one, I wouldn’t fancy that one.

Joyce vs Chisora Full Card

Joe Joyce vs. Derek Chisora 

Dennis McCann vs. Ionut Baluta 

Ryan Garner vs. Archie Sharp 

Moses Itauma vs. Mariusz Wach 

Brandun Lee vs. TBA 

Raven Chapman vs. Yohana Sarabia 

Aadam Hamed vs. Georgi Velichkov 

Sean Noakes vs. Inder Bassi 

Royston Barney-Smith vs. Brian Barajas 

Umar Khan vs. Kaddour Hmiani 

Jermaine Dhliwayo vs. Engel Gomez

Joyce vs Chisora Prediction

Derek Chisora’s demise has been written about more than that of Bruce Wayne’s parents. But like Thomas and Martha, he always seems to come back for one last gunfight. However, I think this could be the last time we see him headlining a show like this.

I am backing Joyce to do a job on ‘Del Boy’, winning by knockout in rounds 7-9 at 11/4. This is a good fight for him. A big name opponent in an arena setting. Chisora will make it difficult enough for a few rounds but ‘Del Boy’ has never exactly been hard to hit. I think Joyce can get his groove back and land those big shots we have seen take out the likes of Parker, Takam and Daniel Dubois.

You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page and our latest boxing odds here.