Joe Joyce could land world title fight early after Fury’s £80m Top Rank deal as Brit prepares for Stiverne clash
Saturday sees Joyce enter only his eighth pro fight against Canadian ex-WBC world champ Bermane Stiverne
JOE JOYCE could land a heavyweight world title sooner than expected thanks to Tyson Fury's new £80million Top Rank deal.
With the Gypsy King, WBC champ Deontay Wilder and unified king Anthony Joshua now all fighting on rival American TV networks, the chances of them mixing are slim.
But 33-year-old Joyce's trainer Abel Sanchez, who guided Gennady Golovkin to middleweight dominance, says his man could benefit from the politics.
Joyce, who fights ex-WBC world champ Bermane Stiverne on Saturday in just his eighth pro fight, could be ready for a belt by the end of the year.
Big Bear boss Sanchez said: "I think Tyson's new deal could improve Joe's world chances but I think the landscape is changing.
"Maybe promoters and networks are understanding that they have to work with each other for the fans to keep flocking to fights.
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"When HBO were around they did not work with a lot of the other networks and they alienated a lot of people and it hurt our sport.
"It will provide Joe with other opportunities and avenues but I feel they will work together eventually."
Fury tried to train with Sanchez at his remote base high up in the California mountains before his Wilder draw in December, but it was cut short and moved to Freddie Roach's Wild Card at sea level.
And Sanchez says the lack of media attention, that starved the Traveller of the limelight, works in softly-spoken Joyce's favour.
Sanchez even compared him to a heavyweight legend, saying: "Joe and Tyson are two totally different people.
"Tyson needs a microphone in his face at all times, he is flamboyant and a heck of a character.
"Joe is more like George Foreman, he is quiet but he carries a big punch.
"He has a short period of time to progress because of his age so being secluded and having the opportunity to just work without eyes is great for Joe.
"We don't want to look past Stiverne and Joe is not going to be ready for world level until the end of the year."
Stiverne lost a majority decision to Wilder in 2015 but was battered by the Bronze Bomber inside a round almost three years later, looking dangerously out of shape.
The last time the Canadian looked a serious challenge was in 2014 when he KO'd Chris Arreola for the WBC strap.
And Sanchez hopes that is the version of the 40-year-old who turns up at the O2 on Saturday.
He said: "I thought it was a good step for Joe's career because Stiverne is just a step below the elite because of his bouts with Deontay.
"At 33, it was a good step for Joe to get among the elite level for next year.
"I want the Stiverne that fought Arreola, before he boxed Wilder, that was a hungry fighter and that is how Joe will improve and be ready for the elite level.
"Every day is a learning experience for the coach and the fighter.
"We feel we are progressing the way we need to be and this is a fight that allows us to show off his skills."