Teddy Atlas has had some flattering words for British heavyweight Joe Joyce – comparing ‘The Juggernaut’ to one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.
Speaking on his podcast THE FIGHT, Atlas said that Joyce’s clubbing power and brute strength reminded him of 70s kingpin George Foreman.
“Joyce reminds me of George Foreman. When I said that, a lot of people thought I was nuts.”
“I wonder if they’ve adjusted that opinion now and they see what I see – what I saw way back.”
“He’s big, strong, he’s ponderous. He’s a ponderous puncher, he’s not a snappy puncher, he’s hitting you with a club.”
Atlas was speaking on the back of Joyce’s stunning 11th round win over Joseph Parker in Manchester this past weekend, where the Olympic silver medallist became the first man to stop Parker in a professional ring.
That performance has saw Joyce’s name thrown in amongst the very best heavyweights in the world. With his relentless pressure, seemingly impregnable chin and thudding power, he is unlikely to be an easy night for anyone in the division.
Joyce now holds the WBO Interim world title, meaning he is guaranteed either a shot at full champion Oleksandr Usyk or to have his status upgraded should Usyk decide to vacate the belt.
Tyson Fury was also singing Joyce’s praises over the past week, and even conceded in a recent social media post that the Juggernaut could actually be the man to topple him. With both men signed to promoter Frank Warren, a fight between the two is a real possibility for next year.