Losses in the heavyweight division are the often the most bruising in the sport.
One punch can change everything in an instant, as evidenced by the many upsets in the division through the years. For Joe Joyce, it wasn’t one punch but a sustained and targeted attack from Zhilei Zhang that knocked his campaign of its tracks.
‘Big Bang’s pinpoint accuracy from the southpaw stance saw the fight called off early due to Joyce’s rapidly-closing eye. The man with the Iron chin from London wasn’t knocked down but he was wobbled, and many thought he would swerve the rematch for an easier route back into title contention. Bravely, he didn’t, but was knocked out in the third round of the second fight.
After six months out he returned for a below-par stoppage over Kash Ali before entering a big-stage show with Derek Chisora last month. Underdog ‘Del Boy’ rolled back the years to produce a unanimous points victory over 10 after scoring a knockdown in the ninth.
It was a competitive and thrilling affair that will no doubt take its toll on both men. Despite showing signs of his old self, Joyce, 38, faced calls to retire, as did Chisora, 40.
‘The Juggernaut’ has now been as clear as can be that he will remain in the sport, posting some of his highlights with the caption ‘They wrote me off before. I’ll show them again.’
Where he goes next remains to be seen with domestic-level scraps looking the most likely. Joyce is open to rematches with Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker, but with Dubois now world champion and Parker one of the most in-form in the division they would surely a win or two on ‘The Juggernaut’s part.
Instead he will be called out by the likes of Johnny Fisher and Moses Itauma – young British heavyweights looking for a big name on their record.
