Joe Joyce knows what it’s like to fight Oleksandr Usyk and has now given his bold response to the Ukrainian’s win over Tyson Fury in their fight last weekend.
Joyce and Usyk came to blows in the amateur ranks and Usyk came out on top that night, as he did in Saudi Arabia in the first undisputed world title fight for 25 years.
In a close fight that was tight and technical, there was plenty of back and forth with Usyk taking the early rounds, Fury then getting a grip and landing some solid uppercuts in the mid-rounds.
Usyk then took charge again and landed a huge hook in round nine that sent Fury falling all over the ring, only to be held up by the ropes, but he was still given a standing eight count which many believe swayed the fight in Usyk’s favour.
Speaking to Boxing Social, Joyce was asked what he made of the fight.
“Congratulations Usyk, that was a good fight, I thought it was very close with Fury but the clear decider was when Fury was staggering around, it definitely made the difference. I’m excited to see the rematch, I wonder how it’s going to be different.”
He was asked if he knew Usyk would go on to the success he has.
“I noticed in WSB when they did the catchweight with the heavy and super heavyweights, he was dispatching a lot of guys at my weight. I had a close fight with him, I thought I did well, I was very inexperienced then.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for him, I think in the amateurs he had 350 fights and not many losses, so him and Lomachenko, back in the GB days, we’d be looking at them as quite an inspiration. I enjoyed his dancing in the Olympic Games when he won, which maybe inspired me to do mine.”
Joyce was asked if he would be doing his famous flip if he won in his next fight against Derek Chisora in July.
“I don’t know I need to practice again I don’t want to faceplant!”
Finally, Joyce was asked if Usyk, who he has called out for a rematch in more recent times, would be looked upon as one of the best heavyweights ever.
“Yep, he’s done it hasn’t he? He’s undisputed, look what he did in cruiserweight as well. He’s a star isn’t he?”
He might well have to do it all again as Tyson Fury has revealed he will be triggering the rematch clause for October.
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