Joe Joyce knows what it’s like to take punches from IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois.
The pair fought back in 2020. It was a step up for both men, particularly Dubois, and Joyce came out on top. He landed his stiff, ramrod jab repeatedly in the face of the younger man and eventually caused so much damage that the eye of ‘DDD’ closed up. He decided to take a knee and be counted out, which led many to accuse him of quitting even despite the fractured socket.
However, Dubois rebuilt well and came through tough fights with Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic to become the IBF champion, and last time out in September he knocked out former two-time champion Anthony Joshua to retain his belt with the best win of his career.
Joyce went on to secure wins over the likes of Carlos Takam and became the first man to stop Joseph Parker, but then twice lost to Zhilei Zhang in back-to-back fights and most recently lost on points to Derek Chisora in July last year.
Speaking to Mail Sport, Joyce admitted Dubois hits hard but did most damage when he caught ‘The Juggernaut’ standing still.
“Like you see Dubois, he’s got phenomenal power. But I had to be static for him to hit me. If I’m moving around it’s harder to get the full power going to land a shot.”
39-year-old Joyce returns to the ring this weekend when he takes on Hrgovic. A loss for either man might be critical at this late stage of their respective professional careers.
As for Dubois, he seems poised for a rematch with the only other man who has beaten him, Oleksandr Usyk. The pair are looking to negotiate an undisputed fight for this summer.
