Defeats in boxing needn’t always mean the end of a career, but the manner of defeat can have a big impact on a fighter’s future.
Joe Joyce knows this all too well. Up until his first professional loss against Zhilei Zhang last year, he was thought of by some as an immovable object and possibly unbeatable boxer due to his size and punching resilience. He had solid wins against the likes of Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker and got himself well-ranked.
However, the Chinese heavyweight undid him by stopping the Brit not once but twice in back-to-back fights.
Since then, Joyce has fought twice more – one straightforward win over Kash Ali, and one hugely entertaining but ultimately bruising points loss to Derek Chisora at the end of July.
The former Olympic silver medalist was knocked down on his way to a points reverse, though vowed in the ring afterwards that he will carry on fighting.
Speaking to iFL TV,Martin Bakole was asked what he made of Joyce’s loss.
“Terrible. Terrible. Everyone can see now that I’m telling the truth. Imagine, Chisora is too old and he beat him by unanimous decision. That’s terrible Joe Joyce, nothing to say.”
He was then asked if he would still fight Joyce and claimed the Brit’s career was over.
“It’s finished. Maybe he’s doing exhibition fights or small fights but at a high level [he’s] finished.”
