by Shaun Brown

Joe Joyce’s professional debut could be a stern test against recent British heavyweight title challenger Ian Lewison (12-3-1, KOs).

Lewison, 35, who retired in the 10th round of his fight against Dillian Whyte for the vacant British strap last October in Glasgow appeared to confirm the news on his Twitter account @IanLewison when asked late last night (September 1).

31-year-old Joyce won Gold for England at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow before representing Great Britain at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, a tournament that rewarded Joyce with Silver in the super heavyweight category despite many believing he defeated France’s Tony Yoka in the final.

Joyce also entered the career enhancing World Series of Boxing in 2012 where he memorably took on Oleksander Usyk in 2013 with the Ukranian giving the Brit his first loss in the tournament after four victories. Joyce’s only other loss in 16 fights for the British Lionhearts would come against Russia’s Maxim Babanin.

Last month Joyce was added by former world heavyweight champion David Haye and Richard Schaefer to their joint promotional venture at Hayemaker Ringstar on a two-year deal. Ringstar also acquired the services of Tony Yoka back in January.

“He will become a world champion,” Haye said of Joyce. “The heavyweight division better watch out.”

Joyce’s pro debut will be aired on the free-to-air channel Dave in the UK. A channel that covered Haye’s much maligned heavyweight comeback in 2016 against Mark De Mori and Arnold Gjergjaj.

A fight against Lewison would certainly fit the bill for the tough matchmaking for Joyce that had been talked about by Haye and Ringstar. With Joyce's amateur pedigree Hayemaker Ringstar feel confident that he will be able to handle the threat of someone like Lewison in his debut.