Joe Joyce scored a third round TKO win over Michael Wallisch to stay on course for an October meeting with Daniel Dubois.
The 34-year-old ended the contest with a vicious right and body shot to end the German’s challenge at the BT Sport Studio in Stratford as boxing continued behind closed doors in the capital.
Joyce, who had not fought in over a year before tonight, was made to take a couple of stiff rights from Wallisch early in the contest as he sought a huge upset.
The 2016 Olympian found his rhythm however and dropped his opponent three times before the referee called the contest off.
It was a devastating finish from the Putney fighter; landing the thunderous shot upstairs before immediately following it up with one to the body that saw Wallish crumble to the mat.
Joyce and Dubois are scheduled to meet on October 24 in a bout twice rescheduled this year due to the coronavirus.
Due to the delays, both men opted for tune-up fights ahead of their all-London showdown that will move the winner into the frame for a world title shot.
Joyce took care of his side of the deal on Saturday night with it now over to Dubois to do likewise when he takes on Erik Pfeifer on August 29.
In Pictures | WBC heavyweight rankings | 19/07/19
1/11 Tyson Fury
Reigning champion
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2/11 Dillian Whyte
No.1
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3/11 Deontay Wilder
No.2
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4/11 Oleksandr Usyk
No.3
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5/11 Oscar Rivas
No.4
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6/11 Luis Ortiz
No.5
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7/11 Andy Ruiz Jr
No.6
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8/11 Joseph Parker
No.7
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9/11 Daniel Dubois
No.8
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10/11 Filip Hrgovic
No.9
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11/11 Alexander Povetkin
No.10
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1/11 Tyson Fury
Reigning champion
REUTERS
2/11 Dillian Whyte
No.1
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3/11 Deontay Wilder
No.2
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4/11 Oleksandr Usyk
No.3
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5/11 Oscar Rivas
No.4
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6/11 Luis Ortiz
No.5
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7/11 Andy Ruiz Jr
No.6
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8/11 Joseph Parker
No.7
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9/11 Daniel Dubois
No.8
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10/11 Filip Hrgovic
No.9
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11/11 Alexander Povetkin
No.10
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Earlier on the card, middleweight prospect Denzel Bentley extended his professional record to 13-0 after stopping Mick Hall.
The Battersea fighter has stopped 11 of his opponents with Hall’s team pulling their man out at the end of the sixth round.
The hard-hitting Bentley blasted his opponent with power shots throughout the contest with victory moving him into the frame for a British title shot.
Streatham’s Chris Bourke meanwhile claimed the vacant Southern Area super-bantamweight title with a hard-fought win over Ramez Mahmood.
Mahmood, a school teacher outside of the ring, fought with plenty of aggression, matching Bourke in the volume of punches thrown but his opponent produced the more eye-catching shots over 10 rounds, closing out a 96-94 points win to take the belt.
Super lightweight prospect Henry Turner clinched a unanimous points with over journeyman Chris Adaway in his third professional fight, with Louie Lynn going 4-0 after a second round win over Monty Ogilvie.
Live Updates
RESULT
Joe Joyce beats Michael Wallisch via third round KO
Job done for Joyce. He takes care of business here – over to you, Daniel Dubois.
ACTION
Joyce vs Wallisch | Round 3
Wallisch goes to try end it early in the third but Joyce swats him away and floors him again! Huge shots send the German down but he makes the count and comes again.
Joyce lands another huge right, following it up with a left to the body. Wallisch is down for a third time and the referee ends the fight!
ACTION
Joyce vs Wallisch | Round 2
Wallisch starts the round quickly again but Joyce makes him miss and crashes through with that jab again.
Joyce is landing heavy now and Wallisch crumbles to the mat after taking a huge right upstairs and a shuddering body shot. He sinks to his knees, looking a little lost, but rises and to meet the count and see out the round.
ACTION
Joyce vs Wallisch | Round 1
Wallisch lands a lovely right over the top early on! Joyce brushes it off however and marches forward and begins to get his jab going.
Wallisch does continue to find the target with his right but Joyce crashes through with a stiff jab that the German certainly felt.
Joe Joyce is back in a ring on fight night for the first time in over a year. We are almost ready to rock.
Joe Joyce came in at a career-heaviest in Friday’s weigh-in – might we still see a backflip at the end of this?
NEXT UP
Main event time.
A defeat for Joe Joyce tonight would cause havoc for plans later this year. Michael Wallisch is looking to throw one almighty spanner in the works – but he has his work cut out for him.
RESULT
Chris Bourke beats Ramez Mahmood via points decision
Bourke gets the win 96-94 and claims the vacant Southern Area super-bantamweight title!
ACTION
Bourke vs Mahmood | Round 10
Mahmood’s corner urge him on and he obliges, throwing plenty with a huge effort here. Bourke has allowed his opponent back in here, it’s not a great finish from him but Mahmood can’t find the big finish he might need.
ACTION
Bourke vs Mahmood | Round 9
Mahmood steps on the gas – perhaps having been told by his corner that he is trailing here. Bourke show’s tremendous defence however, slipping out of trouble and making his opponent miss.
Mahmood has just about landed enough to take a tight round – but it might not be enough as we enter the final three minutes.
ACTION
Bourke vs Mahmood | Round 8
Mahmood tries to get the jab going again but he is missing the target more often now. Bourke looks a lot fresher at the moment with that neat footwork keeping him out of danger.
Mahmood ends on the front foot but he hasn’t done enough to close the gap.
ACTION
Bourke vs Mahmood | Round 7
Another round for Bourke – enough to win it with Mahmood now needing a big finish to close distance. He trails by four rounds by our count – although a lot of them very close.
ACTION
Bourke vs Mahmood | Round 6
Bourke’s quality comes through in the sixth round – he lands some crisp body shots to slow Mahmood down, showing slick footwork to navigate in and out. The widest round of a tight fight so far.
ACTION
Bourke vs Mahmood | Round 5
Mahmood’s defence remains as tight as ever – but again the better quality shots are coming from his opponent. Mahmood’s straight shots are coming with plenty of volume, but he might need to vary things up a bit.
ACTION
Bourke vs Mahmood | Round 4
The better quality shots are coming from Bourke who loads up brilliantly and lands a series to the body – but it is another close round.
ACTION
Bourke vs Mahmood | Round 3
An improved round from Mahmood who starts to show a bit more variety in his shots, getting through with a short range upper cut that snaps Bourke’s head back.
ACTION
Bourke vs Mahmood | Round 2
Stronger round from Bourke who comes out the much more aggressive, closing the distance and picking through Mahmood’s guard with his jab.
ACTION
Bourke vs Mahmood | Round 1
Mahmood keeps Bourke on the outside with his jab for much of the opening round – not a lot between the two however.
