Rio 2016 silver medalist Joyce backed up his superb 10th-round win over domestic rival Daniel Dubois with a sixth-round stoppage of former world-title contender Carlos Takam in July last year.

However, a broken wrist kept him sidelined during the first half of 2022 and the 36-year-old will be making up for lost time against Hammer.

Joyce was supposed to be facing a far sterner test, with a showdown against former WBO champion Joseph Parker slated for his next assignment.

However, New Zealander Parker has signed a new promotional and broadcasting agreement with BOXXER and Sky Sports in the UK, forcing Joyce to look elsewhere.

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Hammer beat Joyce’s fellow former Team GB Olympian David Price in 2017, but when the 34-year-old German has stepped up in class against the likes of Tyson Fury, Alexander Povetkin and Luis Ortiz, it has tended to result in defeat.

But that level of opposition, along with the fact Hammer has shared a ring with Joyce’s 2016 Olympic final opponent Tony Yoka, means the clash could serve as a useful measuring stick for a fighter plotting a concerted run at world honours.

When is Joe Joyce vs. Christian Hammer?

Date: Saturday, July 2 Main card: 7 p. m. BST/ 2 p. m ET Joyce-Hammer main event: 10 p. m. BST/5 p. m. ET (approximate)

The Joe Joyce vs. Christian Hammer main card launches at 7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 2, with the heavyweights expected to make their ring walks approximately three hours later, depending on the length of the earlier fights.

How to watch Joyce vs. Hammer

The Joyce vs. Hammer card will be shown on pay-TV station BT Sport in the UK, under Joyce’s deal with the channel and promoter Frank Warren.

Global television partners for the event are yet to be announced.

Joyce vs. Hammer price

Subscription: £25 per month (UK)

A subscription to BT Sport allows you to access the Joyce vs. Hammer fight. 

The subscription provides access to every live event and all on-demand programming via the BT Sport app and website, which includes Premier League and Champions League football.

Where is Joyce vs. Hammer taking place?

The heavyweight showdown will take place at Wembley Arena, which is now known for sponsorship reasons as the OVO Arena.

Wembley Arena is opposite Wembley Stadium, which recently played host to the record-breaking 95,000 sell-out between Tyson Fury and Dillian Whtye. However, it is a storied boxing venue in its own right.

It will be Joyce’s first outing at Wembley Arena, having boxed three times at the O2 Arena. Hammer made his UK debut at the latter venue where he was stopped by Fury in eight rounds back in 2015.

Joyce vs. Hammer odds

Major bookmakers are yet to announce their odds for the fight.

Joe Joyce record and bio

Nationality: British Born: September 19, 1985 Height: 6-6 Reach: 80 inches Total fights: 13 Record: 13-0 with 12 knockouts

Christian Hammer record and bio

Nationality: German Born: September 27, 1987 Height: 6-2½ Reach: 78 inches Total fights: 36 Record: 27-9 with 17 knockouts

Joe Joyce vs. Christian Hammer fight card

Joe Joyce vs. Christian Hammer, 10-round heavyweight contest Jason Cunningham vs. Zolani Tete for Cunningham’s IBF international super-bantamweight title and the Commonwealth super-bantamweight title Callum Johnson vs. Igor Mikhalkin for Johnson’s WBO global light heavyweight title Mark Chamberlain vs. Mark Vidal for the IBF European lightweight title Nathan Heaney vs. TBC for Heaney’s IBO international middleweight title