JOE JOYCE sent a spiteful reminder of his power to Daniel Dubois ahead of their October 24 clash with a scorching hot keep-warm KO win.
The 34-year-old Juggernaut and the 22-year-old prospect were initially scheduled to meet in April, before the Covid-19 lockdown postponed the British title clash.
Joe Joyce came in over 19st but did not meet much resistance
The fight was held in the BT Sport studio with no fans
Joyce accepted a tune-up fight against German hardman Michael Wallish behind-closed-doors at the BT Sport studio last night and smashed the stand-in senseless inside three rounds.
The 11th straight win of the Putney man’s career came a whole year after Joyce’s last fight.
And he took the chance to remind Dynamite Dubois of just how hard he can still bang, leaving the pressure on his rival to now win his own August rehearsal bout.
The Olympic 2016 silver medal winner said: “I’m a bit portly around the middle. It’s tough being in quarantine, you can’t really do as much training as you would like.
“It’s good to get back in the gym again. They were open today – at least. Luckily, I’ve been able to use private gyms and get back to boxing training.
“It’s so good to get back on the bags, get on the pads and get back in the ring.
“All respect to my opponent for coming down. He put in a great effort. Obviously, he, like me, was in lockdown and took some heavy hits.
“I’m coming for you from a full training camp. I’ve got plenty of time to prepare and I’ll be ready. I’ll be watching your fight closely. I’m coming.”
The referee waved off the fight in the third round
The Juggernaut was walking his man down from the opening bell and thudding shots into the former German champion.
But Wallisch landed a looping right hand over the top early and proved it was no fluke as two more followed.
Joyce did hundreds of rounds with Anthony Joshua in Team GB and was able to shake these comparative tickles off.
The Londonder launched an early onslaught with dozens of second-round punches landing around Wallish’s arms and gloves but nothing connecting sweetly.
Wallisch was even allowed to haymaker his way back into the session but Joyce secured a 10-8 second round by thumping him into the canvas like a nail at the end of the stanza.
Early in the third, tattooed Wallisch was felled with a rib-cracking left hook.
But, after a count, he convinced the ref and his concerned corner that he was OK to continue.
But another thunderous headshot sent shock waves through his system and his frozen body dropped to one knee as ref Ian John Lewis saved him from a more serious pasting.
Dubois was watching at home as part of the BT Sport broadcast and will have seen enough pros and cons to know their long-awaited all-English clash will be worth the wait.
Dynamite added: “He got the job done. It was a decent performance. The guy looked like he was ready to quit after the first round. But he dismantled him pretty good.
“Just be prepared man. I want a really good fight. I want to win this next fight in devastating fashion and bring a good fight to Joe. I can’t wait.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
