Joe Joyce could land himself an unexpected world title shot, having been named as the frontrunner to face a heavyweight KO specialist.
The 40-year-old has not fought since his 10-round unanimous decision defeat to Filip Hrgovic, who stepped in as a late replacement for Dillian Whyte in April 2025.
Prior to that, Joyce lost another unanimous decision in July 2024, this time against fellow veteran Derek Chisora, which caused many to speculate about the Olympic silver medallist’s future in the sport.
His back-to-back stoppage defeats to Zhilei Zhang in 2023 offered the first impression that, at this stage in his career, Joyce is no longer the ‘Juggernaut’ of old.
Yet despite losing four of his last five fights, the Londoner is scheduled to face unbeaten Russian Artem Suslenkov at the VTB Arena, Moscow, on July 11.
This was supposed to feature on the undercard of Murat Gassiev vs Tony Yoka, only for the main event to be scuppered after Yoka pulled out with a back injury.
Gassiev, however, is now searching for a new opponent to defend his world title against, having been elevated from ‘regular’ to full WBA champion following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to relinquish his three belts.
According to The Ring, Joyce is currently the frontrunner to take on such a challenge.
“Tony Yoka is now out of his WBA heavyweight title clash against Murat Gassiev due to a back injury.
“The Ring has learned that alternative opponents are being lined up for Gassiev’s return later this month, with Joe Joyce as the most likely option.”
Gassiev, who is now a two-division world champion, has not fought since his sixth-round finish over a 44-year-old Kubrat Pulev last December.
