JOE JOYCE has stopped Christian Hammer in brutal fashion in the fourth round at Wembley Arena.
Joyce was caught a couple of times in the first round, before upping the pace and dropping Hammer FOUR times en route to victory.
The 36-year-old Juggernaut had been expected to face Joseph Parker this September, only for the Kiwi to back out after joining Sky Sports.
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Joyce vs Hammer – round 4
Joyce lands a bodyshot and Hammer is DOWN again!
Another combo and Hammer is down again for the third time!
One more bodyshot – and Hammer crumbles for the FOURTH time in the fight.
And it’s ALL over! Joyce wins by fourth-round stoppage.
Joyce vs Hammer – round 3
Hammer is DOWN from a scuffed shot but he makes the count at 8!
All Joyce this now.
Hammer looking totally exhausted from Joyce’s pressure.
Joyce vs Hammer – round 2
Joyce still setting the pace and didn’t get caught in that round.
Joyce hitting the body with ease.
Hammer will be feeling the pace.
Joyce vs Hammer – round 1
Joyce puts on the pressure but Hammer connects with a HUGE overhand right.
What a shot! But Joyce somehow walks it off.
Joyce working more but the best THREE shots have come from Hammer.
Joyce vs Hammer
And Joyce is walking out now!
To his own theme too.
The Juggernaut is back in business.
Joyce vs Hammer
Hammer making his ring walk now!
And he is making his walk to Roy Jones classic, Can’t Be Touched.
Juggernaut to 60
Joyce says: “It’s good to be back in Wembley, Christian Hammer looks game and tough so I am looking forward to it.
“For my whole career te top heavyweights have ducked me so I have to really earn my opportunity.
“Hammer is a tough guy who has taken top guys the distance.
“I will get Hammer out earlier than anyone else has and then I want a world title”.
Hammer adds: “In my career I have met a lot of top boxers and this has helped me get very strong.
Zolani army
The two-weight world champ says: “I was so confident coming in and I wanted to fight so bad after the loss of my mother.
“I did not want to hurt Jason, it was just the sport of boxing.
“I thank him for the opportunity and he was a great champion.
“This is one of my greatest achievements because it is the first time a South African has won a Commonwealth title”.
Dedicated to Mrs Tete
Zolani Tete lost his mum recently and his T-shirt is emblazoned with her photo.
It was a booming left hand that first collapsed Cunningham.
And when he bravely got to his feet, it was two hooks from ‘Firearm’ that ended the Englishman’s night and world title hopes.
Iceman iced
Cunningham has his team around him but he is moving and now he has sat up.
The Doncaster man is taking oxygen on and is talking to his worried team.
Tete can now enjoy a brilliant win.
Cunningham boxed the wrong fight against a really dangerous man.
Tete wins KO – R4
Cunningham is floored in the first 30 seconds and battles back to his feet.
The Brit beats the count but the he is assaulted and chinned viciously again.
The Doncaster man cracks hus head on the canvas as he falls and it makes a sickening sound.
Tete cools his celebrations as Cunningham remains down.
Cunninghan vs Tete – R3
Cunningham is definitely letting these early rounds slip by him.
Tete yet to suffer a shot while the Commonwealth champ has eaten dozens of jabs one decent backhand.
The former super-fly and bantamweight boss is now three rounds ahead.
Team Cunningham must be hoping the veteran suffers from ring rust in the second half of the fight.
Cunninghan vs Tete – R2
Tete keeps pinging Cunningham’s head back with his faster jab.
The Brit’s jab is doing no damage so far.
Cunningham seems to be struggling against a fellow southaw, his first leftie opponent in seven years.
Tete has not even thrown his fierce left hand but he has probably now banked a second round.
Cunninghan vs Tete – R1
Tete lands the better early jabs.
And the 34-year-old African looks to have lost none of his speed.
Cunningham makes a cautious start and the round slips by without major incident.
This could catch fire at any time.
Cunninghan vs Tete – R1
Tete is a two-weight world champion with six UK wins on his record.
But he has been out of the ring for 18 months whereas Cunningham has been busy.
Cunningham’s Commonwealth title is on the line but the winner will also leap toward a workd title shot.
Two southpaws usually spells stinker but these two look like gelling.
Jason Cunningham vs Zolani Tete
Chief support now between a couple of cracking super-bantams.
Brit Cunningham looked finished in 2018 when he suffered his sixth career defeat.
But the Doncaster southpaw has rebounded with seven wins on the spin and is now dreaming of a world title shot.
Can ‘The Iceman’ keep his cool now and beat the 29-4 South African veteran?
Re-Joyce
Joe Joyce is backstage with trainer Ismael Salas practicing one particular power shot.
The 36-year-old Putney Juggernaut is working on his left hook.
If we see Hammer loop over a right hand – and Joyce roll under it – watch out for a piledriver from the lead left hand.
Mark of a champion
The Portsmouth winner says: “It feels great because he was a tough customer who has never been stopped.
“I learned a lot in there and now I want to go on to bigger and better things.
“I had him going a couple of times, I thought it maybe should have been stopped.”
Mark Chamberlain wins UD
The three ringside judges scored it: 100-90, 100-90 and 100-90.
A total shut-out for the excellent Englishman who falls to his knees to celebrate.
Chambo vs Vidal – R10
Vidal takes a real pasting in the final minute.
Chambo is already celebrating with his Pompey fans at ringside.
Vidal’s mush has been a magnet for both of the tall southpaw’s powerful hands.
But the proud Spaniard refused to buckle or bow.
Bell goes and Chambo celebrates what should be a UD win.
Chambo vs Vidal – R9
Chambo banks another round handily.
Vidal is proving himself a freakishly tough man and Chambo has gone through the gears.
Early on Chamberlain was taking needless risks and he wisely stopped that.
It’s been measured boxing and ruthlessly accurate punching from the Pompey man. Last stanza next.
Chambo vs Vidal – R8
Vidal is buzzed by another pinpoint Chambo blow.
The Brit steps on the gas and unloads.
Vidal is backed onto the ropes and struggling. But once again the Spaniard survives. Vidal is so tough.
Chambo digs half a dozen into Vidal’s ribs but they don’t harm the visitor. Bell ends a violent one.
Chambo vs Vidal – R7
Chambo just racking uo rounds now as Vidal’s early threat dims.
The Pompey man has stopped getting into danger and looks set for a points win.
The 23-year-old will have learned plenty so far and will be a better fighter after tonight.
Chambo vs Vidal – R6
Vidal’s shots are getting more and more wild and Chamberlain is now well versed om telegraphing them.
Chambo backs his prey bacl onto the ropes and drives another left hand into his face.
Ref Bob Williams stops the action to warn Chamberlain over a churlish headbutt.
Chambo vs Vidal – R5
Vidal’s spirit is starting to fade, even if his chin isn’t.
Chambo is in total control as long as Vidal doesn’t bore his way into range.
A couple of piston-jabs tag Vidal’s face and then a southpaw left hand cracks him right on the bell.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
