THE manner of Joe Joyceโs second defeat to Zhilei Zhang last September was enough to have many asking whether the British heavyweight should retire from boxing or not.
His seemingly relentless charge to a shot at one of the four world heavyweight belts was halted by Zhang via sixth-round stoppage and then, in the rematch, by third-round knockout. Zhang’s reward, ironically, is a fight against Joseph Parker, who lost to Joyce heavily in 2022.
Referring to the popular kidโs game Snakes and Ladders, Joyce told Boxing News that he has fallen down a couple of snakes and needs to climb a ladder once again. But one of his greatest strengths, the Joe Joyce chin, was exposed by Zhang in their rematch. Does he now have doubts about his Get out of jail free card?
โNo, because Iโm not just a walking chin, a heavy bag,โ Joyce responded. โI can actually punch, I can counter, Iโve got good timing, good footwork and Iโm aiming to improve. But I came up against a hard test; a bogeyman or a tough style for me to deal with. I paid the price. Iโm gonna come again. Thereโs plenty of fights still out there for me.โ
Facing Kash Ali on March 16 will tell us very little about Joyceโs recovery. But it’s what follows the Ali fight that will shine a brighter light on both what Joyce has left and where he fits in the heavyweight pack.
โThereโs heavyweight showdowns taking place in Saudi so thereโs plenty opportunities there [and] even here,โ the 38-year-old said.
โJoseph Parker and Dubois won (and thatโs) definitely raised my stock. Two guys Iโve beat and theyโve had really good wins. It just shows styles make fights. Zhang, obviously, wasnโt a good style for me. Heโs a good fighter and heโs fighting Joseph Parker who Iโve knocked out.
โItโs interesting how boxing works. Thereโs stories behind all these fights. I havenโt had enough yet; I havenโt had my fill yet. I havenโt done what I came into the sport to do and thatโs be a world champion – which Iโm still gunning for. Thereโs such a unique opportunity which has arisen in Saudi. Thereโs still plenty more fights I can have and Iโm not done yet.”