JOE JOYCE will stick to a lockdown diet now he has a mouth-watering cold dish of revenge over Oleksandr Usyk on the menu.
The 35-year-old Juggernaut was a career heavy 19st 4lbs for his July win over Michael Wallisch and dropped almost a stone for the masterful British title win over Daniel Dubois in November.
Joe Joyce was a career heavy 19st 4lbs for his clash with Michael Wallisch in JulyCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
The 35-year-old dropped almost a stone by the time he faced Daniel DuboisCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The 6ft 6in 2016 Olympic silver winner enjoyed a Dubai break after the jabbing clinic he beat the red-hot prospect into submission with.
But now he is ranked No.2 with the WBO he has the Ukraine No.1 – who beat him in the amateurs – possibly even for an interim belt he wants to slide into with ease.
Joyce told SunSport: “The first lockdown came in the summer and I treated it a bit like a holiday because I had been in camp so long for Dubois as it was postponed a couple of times.
“I was just chilling out on the garden decking most days, I had Deliveroo and Domino’s on speed dial.
“But now I have serious things to do. I have finally beaten Dubois and it sets me up nicely for the fight with Usyk that could potentially take me on to face the winner of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
“I had my little holiday fling with junk food in the summer and now it is a New Year, it is down to business and 2021 is going to be my year.”
Joyce was a wide underdog going into the Dubois clash, despite his huge amateur pedigree and Rio heroics where he was robbed of a gold.
Joe Joyce wants a fight with Oleksandr Usyk to set up a bout with AJ or Tyson FuryCredit: Getty
The ramrod jab Team GB honed on the Putney ace shattered Dubois’ left eyesocket and the agonising injury threatened to overshadow the almost faultless win.
But modest Joyce has felt a surge of public support from the victory and feels he has got some of the respect his size, skill and dedication deserve.
“I feel I have gained a lot of respect, I don’t think everyone considers me ‘Slow Old Joe’ anymore!” he laughed.
“I think people have seen I have been improving. I am not a robot, I can now move my head and feet and I deliver on the big occasions.”
London 2012 gold winner Usyk became undisputed cruiserweight king in 2018 but his first two wins up at heavyweight have been flat but his excellent standards.
That dip in form and the three stone of muscle likely to separate them if they meet again, after Usyk’s 2015 points win the World Series of Boxing tournament, are boosting Joyce’s confidence.
He said: “I have a bigger frame, I am 6ft 6in tall and have a longer reach.
“I thought Usyk’s last fight with Derek Chisora was very close, I thought Usyk only nicked it on points by jabbing and getting on his bike.
“I would not be worried about Usyk’s power, it would just be a technical fight.
“But I would be there with the professional 10oz gloves and he would have to be concerned with avoiding all of my punches for 36 minutes.”
Joe Joyce, is working with Purplebricks to encourage the nation to get behind Team GB on their journey to Tokyo, with the same amazing home support as London 2012. Visit @PurplebricksUK on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube.
Joe Joyce prepares for potential Oleksandr Usyk fight with brutal snow workout as London is battered by severe weather
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
