Joe Joyce returns to action this weekend, but he feels that it should be for the unified heavyweight titles.
Having won the WBO Interim belt in a stellar showing against Joseph Parker last year, Joyce is due a shot at the champion, Oleksandr Usyk.
The Ukrainian, though, holds two other belts, and the WBA’s Daniel Dubois and IBF’s Filip Hrgovic are ahead of Joyce in the queue.
A rotation is typically agreed between sanctioning bodies like so, but it stings considering he beat Dubois back in 2020. ‘The Juggernaut’ told Sky Sports the situation was ‘annoying.’
“It is annoying, It’s really annoying that Dubois is ahead in the queue, and Hrgovic as well. It’s out of my control and unfortunate. But fortunate for Dubois to come off a devastating loss [to me] and then be before me in the selection.
“Only in boxing would this stuff happen. Nothing really surprises me. I’m just patient and I’ll get my shot.”
Having said that, Joyce has the right attitude, and one fans want to see. He’s not sitting out and waiting for the rotation to land on him, he’s keeping busy in preparation.
“If I just keep on beating these guys then I’ll get the world title. I’m in a good position and it’s exciting times. There are plenty of good fights out there.
“I will get there eventually. I’m right there, so it’s a matter of time. I’ve got confidence in my ability and I do deliver when I fight. It’s going to be quite hard stopping me.”
Joyce faces China’s Zhilei Zhang this weekend at The Copper Box Arena in London. The heavy hitting southpaw will provide yet another test for the London man, who is getting read for Usyk or Tyson Fury with every bold step he takes.