'The Juggernaut' Joe Joyce wants to fight WBA World 'regular' heavyweight champion Manuel Charr next after successfully coming through a tough test over Bryant Jennings at The O2, North Greenwich, last Saturday, writes Ziad Chaudry.

The 33-year-old from Putney was taken to the full twelve round distance by the American two-time world heavyweight title challenger for the first time since turning professional 21 months ago.

However the 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist and former Earlsfield ABC representative did more than enough in retaining his WBA Gold title after winning on all three judges scorecards (118-09, 117-110, 116-112).

"It was hard," admitted Joyce who has now won all ten of his paid contests. "He caught me with a very good body shot early on. I was too busy looking at the crowd and clowning around and that's a learning curve.

"Big respect for Bryant Jennings. He's a tough tough fighter. Very experienced and really tested me like he worked me out of what I was doing and he is a great fighter.

"I used my experience and my toughness to pull through and keep going and just wait until I recovered. It's great because what these fights are good for because it teaches you a lesson."

Joyce is on track to become one of the quickest ever world heavyweight champions. He looks to overtake Anthony Joshua as the quickest Briton and fifth fastest overall in history which currently stands at two years and six months.

He hopes his co-promoters Frank Warren and Ringstar Sports Richard Schaefer can deliver the big-punching Putney man his dream contest world title bout with Syria's Manual Charr.

"I want Manuel Charr," Joyce demands. "I want to be World Champion and be world number one."