Joe Joyce new trainer: 3 options

The week before the launch press conference for Daniel Dubois vs Joe Joyce, which is set to take place on April 11 at the O2, we visited Adam Booth’s new gym. Before we interviewed the man himself, he politely requested that we not ask him about Joe Joyce, as he would not be working with the undefeated Olympic silver medallist going forward.

We managed to keep this news to ourselves for a whole week, before Joyce himself revealed at the presser he would be basing his camp for fellow unbeaten Londoner Dubois in the US.

A risky move before such an important fight, but maybe de rigeur for a man who has already worked with three trainers as a pro, in Ismael Salas, Abel Sanchez and Booth.

We present three possible US-based trainers for Joyce.

Abel Sanchez
A return to altitude training at Big Bear could be on the cards. Joyce always spoke enthusiastically regarding both the level of conditioning work at The Summit and the California lifestyle which kept him occupied at weekends. Sanchez’s approach to Joyce was always focused on making the most of his existing strength, power and athleticism, rather than trying to significantly change a fighter who is now 34.

SugarHill Steward
The flavour of the month, having taken the Tyson Fury reins ahead of the Brit’s rematch with Deontay Wilder. Steward has based the Fury camp in Las Vegas, a city synonymous with boxing and one Joe mentioned specifically at the presser. SugarHill, mentored by his legendary uncle Emanuel, is steeped in a philosophy that prioritises utilising a fighter’s physical advantages. Joyce spent a fortnight sparring Fury ahead of the first Wilder battle, so there is a link there too.

Freddie Roach
A bit of a, ahem, wild card option but as Joyce favours the West Coast and Roach runs the most well-known gym out there, his West Hollywood facility cannot be disregarded. It’s been a while since Freddie trained a top heavyweight but he is hugely experienced and often ideal for adding nuances to a boxer’s game. The sparring at the Wild Card is second to none and Joe would surely benefit from working alongside some elite fighters, like Manny Pacquiao, who is also looking at an April fight date.