JOE JOYCE says the big names in the heavyweight division want to “man up” and begin preventing each other.
‘The Juggernaut’ returns on September 23 towards Zhilei Zhang wanting to proper a improper after struggling his first skilled loss at the arms of the 40-year-old in April.
Joyce 15-1 (14) invoked his rematch clause to face Zhang 25-1-1 (20) as soon as once more in what will probably be one in all the highlights of the yr for his weight class. So far in 2023 there have been extra phrases than motion from the main pack of Usyk, Fury, Joshua and Wilder.
“Where’s these fights. The next big fight is my is my fight,” stated Joyce throughout an interview with Ariel Helwani for BT Sport.
“Back in the 80s and 90s the champs have been preventing a number of instances a yr.
“They need to man up and take on these fights.”
Victory for Joyce towards Zhang would see him turn into the necessary challenger for Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO belt. The Ukrainian defends that and two other straps towards Daniel Dubois on August 26 in Poland. Joyce has expertise of preventing each males having misplaced to Usyk as an newbie in 2013. Seven years later in his 12th skilled contest he beat Dubois after his opponent failed to beat the rely in the 10th spherical. Does Joyce give the 25-year-old an opportunity towards the champion?
“Dubois hits hard so if he can hit Usyk then he’s got a shot. If he can’t he’s not because Usyk throws too many punches, head movement’s amazing, footwork, experience. If he can land a shot a heavy shot on him Usyk’s in trouble. Dubois hits very hard.”
Joyce believes he let many individuals down after shedding to Zhang three months in the past. The sixth-round stoppage due to an eye fixed harm was surprising such had been the momentum and thrilling performances the 37-year-old carried into the fight. The 2016 Olympic Silver medallist spoke of his emotions following his first skilled loss.
“On the evening I watched it again and it’s horrible to watch again the efficiency. I felt the disappointment from all my buddies, my household, my followers, my girlfriend. It’s robust as a result of usually I’m on the profitable finish of issues in order that’s a completely totally different feeling. It was a troublesome evening.
“I had to go to hospital and get checked out and everything. It took a long time. It’s character building, right? I’ve tasted defeat in the amateurs, so I know what it feels like, and I don’t particularly want it to happen again.”
Fighting Zhang seemed like an pointless danger. Joyce might have sat out and waited for a shot at Fury or Usyk however as a substitute selected to keep lively and take on a harmful opponent like Zhang.
“I am actually fighting,” he stated taking purpose at these in the division who haven’t been.
“I’m taking risks and I’m fighting these guys. I’m actually fighting people unlike some of the heavyweights.”
“I don’t regret taking the fight,” he added. “It’s part of the journey of my career. It’s like a challenge and an obstacle that has stopped me in my tracks. I’m gonna have to rebuild and I’m gonna come out stronger and hopefully get those opportunities back.”
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