Joe Joyce has made it his business to take and survive shots from heavyweights – but who’s left a lasting impression on ‘The Juggernaut?’
The former Olympian is undefeated – and seemingly unhurt – in his fifteen fight pro career with as many wins. With all of his victories bar one coming by way of knockout, he packs a punch as well as he takes one.
The big man told Queensberry that it was Daniel Dubois whose power left most of a mark.
“They’ve all kind of hit me the same – I remember Dubois, though, actually. My face after the fight was like ‘ahh.’ His punches even though he didn’t have the time to set his feet and really settle into his shots. He’s got just raw, thudding, natural power.”
“He eats whole chickens and then goes to bed – that’s what he did on Team GB, so he’s probably doing similar now.”
Joyce and Dubois faced off in November of 2020 in what was one of the more thrilling lockdown contests.
Watched on by only the training teams and a select number of supporters, the sound of the heavyweight shots in Church House echoed and bounced around the room for ten rounds until young Dubois took a knee. He had a broken eye socket from the stiff jab of a determined Joyce.
It went largely how Joyce had predicted it, claiming in the build up that ‘DDD’ was too young and inexperienced to hang with him in the ring. Despite that, though, the young contender clearly did leave an impression on ‘The Juggernaut.’
Since then, the pair have found themselves in favourable positions for championship boxing. Joyce is the WBO Interim Champion, and Dubois holds the WBA Regular belt – both of which are currently held by Oleksandr Usyk and set to be on the line against Tyson Fury.
If the undisputed fight does happen, fans can expect Joyce and Dubois to be front and centre in the aftermath.