Joe Joyce isn’t looking to rest on his laurels after a good year in the heavyweight division.
His win over Joseph Parker not only put him in prime position, but showed his rivals that he was the real deal. In fact, with his undefeated record and seeming inability to be deterred in the ring, he could be considered the biggest threat to the throne.
He spoke to Sky Sports to set out what the next twelve months might look like for him.
“I’m planning to have a fight in March, while all the others are taking a fight. For the summer one [I plan to] go for a big one, like Usyk or Fury. I’ll be ready because I’ll have had one at the beginning of the year to get me going.”
‘The Juggernaut’ is sitting pretty already. He’s currently the WBO Interim Champion, meaning he’ll be in the mix for a shot at whoever wins between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, should that fight be made.
Regardless, he’s not one for biding his time.
“I don’t understand why people do that. It makes them rusty for when they do get the shot and also their skills as well, you always want to keep on improving your skills and learning and growing as a fighter and correcting any mistakes, and getting in these exciting fights for the fans.”
On his March opponent – although it’s too early to announce a name – Joyce has a specific type of fighter in mind to get him ready for a shot at one of the champions.
“Fury switches southpaw and Usyk’s a southpaw so it would be a good idea.”
Not only is the undisputed fight itself exciting for the division, it’s what happens after that will truly open things up. All of the sanctioning bodies are expected to call their mandatories, and if a timely rotation isn’t agreed, the belts may be split up.
It’s not out of the question either that Fury or Usyk, should they win, could retire – having ‘completed’ boxing for want of a better phrase.
Finally, if the pair write a rematch clause into the contract, the contenders knocking on the door may have no choice but to fight one another. That seems no problem for Joe Joyce.