Joe Joyce has responded to Eddie Hearn’s comments regarding matching him up with Anthony Joshua.
The pair fought in the amateur ranks in 2011, with ‘AJ’ scoring a first round stoppage. Joyce has been keen to run it back as a pro, and the domestic scrap would undoubtedly excite fans worldwide.
Joshua is set to fight American heavyweight, Jermaine Franklin, on April 1, whilst Joyce – the WBO Interim Champion – will be back out two weeks later to fight China’s Zhilei Zhang.
Hearn previously told IFL TV that his fighter would face Joyce no problem.
“AJ fancied the Joe Joyce fight … I think Joe Joyce is a very good heavyweight. I think it’s a great fight.”
He went on to say, however, that he didn’t believe a deal would’ve been made ‘in the fashion and speed’ that was required for Joshua at this stage in his career.
Asked by IFL for his response, ‘The Juggernaut’ hinted that it could be all talk and no substance from the promoter.
“It’s a bit late to be mentioning that when he’s got another fight now. Is there any plan for the future for that fight or is it just talk?”
Still, he would absolutely be open to the fight, believing their story and style would mesh together well.
“He reckons he’ll knock me out in one round, so who knows with Joshua at this point. I haven’t actually seen him in person since GB so I don’t know how he is as a person – if his head’s gone or not or what’s happening.
“It’s a good fight. I’d like to fight Joshua at some point, I think it’s got a good story – both GB boxers and both medalists. Shared the ring, had sparring … He’s a big powerful and I’ve got a big chin apparently and work rate – the styles would be interesting.”
With Joshua on the comeback trail following two losses to Oleksandr Usyk, and Joyce on the ascendency after his knockout of Joseph Parker, it’s not unlikely that the pair could meet for world honours in the future.