Joe Joyce promises to punish Anthony Joshua after Brit rival dismissed him for June 1 bout
ANTHONY JOSHUA will be punished for dismissing old sparring partner Joe Joyce when the Brit giants finally meet. Shamed Jarrell Miller’s chemistry-set approach to training for a June 1 bout with AJ has left the 29-year-old heavyweight king scratching around for a last-minute opponent. Joyce, 33, offered his services, despite being just eight fights in […]
ANTHONY JOSHUA will be punished for dismissing old sparring partner Joe Joyce when the Brit giants finally meet.
Shamed Jarrell Miller’s chemistry-set approach to training for a June 1 bout with AJ has left the 29-year-old heavyweight king scratching around for a last-minute opponent.
Joyce, 33, offered his services, despite being just eight fights in to his professional career, but was knocked back due to a ‘lack of credibility’.
And the 2016 Olympic silver winner was not happy being spurned when duds like Andy Ruiz Jr and Manuel Charr are in the mix.
Joyce, whose next fight will be a May 18 tune-up after signing with Frank Warren, said: “I would’ve happily jumped in to fight him on June 1.
“There are three belts on the line and a decent purse. It’s what I’m in boxing for – to get those opportunities and to fight the very best.
“Being deemed not credible was a bit of an insult. I’ve got the WBA gold belt and the Commonwealth title.
“Some of the other names that were mentioned haven’t done what I’ve done.
Being deemed not credible was a bit of an insult.
Joe Joyce
“Ruiz’s best win is Joe Hanks and I have already beaten him in fewer rounds.
“Perhaps, because the fight is in America, they wanted an American opponent but I’ve boxed there before. They were looking for heavyweights so I put my name in the hat.”
At the Team GB training base in Sheffield, Joyce and AJ did hundreds of rounds before the Watford hero turned pro after striking gold at London 2012.
And the Putney ace, who has just returned to the UK to train under Adam Booth after quitting Big Bear in California, says he knows exactly how to dethrone the WBA, WBO and IBF boss, despite being a professional novice.
He said: “It’s not too early. It’s a 50-50 fight and it’s going to happen sooner or later. I’ve got three options really – Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and then Anthony Joshua, who has three belts.
“I’ve taken a lot of confidence from our spars. We’re talking in the hundreds of rounds that we did on GB, maybe more.
“I’ve learned more since then and I’m sure he has as well, so it would be a great fight at some stage.
“I’ve probably done more rounds with him than anyone in the world, It would be hard for him to come up with any surprises, I know his strengths and weaknesses.
“I know what I’d have to do – I know how to beat him.”
Joyce and Joshua enjoyed a friendly relationship while working together as amateurs but it’s strictly business now the pair are fighting for massive money.
And, although he rates Joshua as the most well-rounded of the planet’s three elite heavyweights, he insists he would be the easiest to beat.
He said: “I think Joshua is more rounded than the others – Wilder has the power while Fury has the boxing ability and the elusiveness.
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“But Joshua has the more robotic, more stand-up, formulaic style. He’s more straight forward style and that might be the easiest to beat.
“He has a good defence, with his guard up and he’s got quite quick hands with a massive amount of power.
“We had a decent relationship. I think he’s a cool guy and I have respect for him but it’s a sport and he has what I want.”
