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JOE JOYCE has been backed to beat Anthony Joshua by a sparring partner who said the heavyweight was “way better” than he expected. Joyce has been calling to fight former Team GB camp-mate AJ and is currently the WBO mandatory challenger.
Joe Joyce after defeating Christian Hammer in four roundsCredit: Getty
Oleksandr Usyk and Britain’s Anthony Joshua ahead of their rematchCredit: AFP
It means he will be in line to face the winner between Joshua, 32, and Oleksandr Usyk, 35, who rematch on August 20 in Saudi Arabia.
But to keep busy, Joyce, 36, beat Romanian Christian Hammer, 34, in four rounds after spending time in America training.
There, he sparred 15-6 Jonnie Rice, 35, who was left mightily impressed by the unbeaten contender.
Rice told SunSport: “I am a big fan of Joe Joyce, I was happy to work with him. The man is amazing.
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“He did way better because it was just amazing what he did with Christian Hammer, because Christian Hammer is no joke.
“No matter what anyone says, he’s no joke at all.”
Joyce has now got to play the waiting game as the next challenger in line for the world title.
And he will eagerly anticipate as Joshua attempts to avenge the loss he suffered to Usyk last September.
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But with AJ coming off a one-sided defeat, and Joyce scoring his 13th knockout in 14 fights, Rice picks only one winner between them.
He said: “I’d have to give it to Joe Joyce, right now.
“With boxing time is a factor, maybe Anthony Joshua earlier in the day, nobody was doing anything with him.
“I was studying Anthony Joshua – and I still do now – but it just seems Joe Joyce right now is getting stronger and stronger.”
Jonnie Rice, far left, in the gym with Joe JoyceCredit: @4everjonnierice More

ANDY RUIZ JR insisted he is not in boxing to look the part as he vowed to win back the world titles the ugly way. Ruiz shot to stardom in June 2019 when he stunned Anthony Joshua in New York.
Andy Ruiz Jr lost his rematch to Anthony Joshua in 2019Credit: Marc Aspland- The Times
But the Mexican-American underdog lost the rematch in Saudi Arabia six months later after ballooning up to 20 STONE.
Ruiz, 32, got back down to 18st 2lb for his comeback fight against Chris Arreola, 41, in May of last year but the win was less than convincing.
Now returning against Luis Ortiz, 43, on September 4, the Snickers-loving heavyweight hinted at piling the pounds back on.
Ruiz said: “This isn’t a weightlifting contest, so I’ve been getting back to what originally made me a champion.
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“I’m not here to lose weight or look the part, I just want to be the part.”
Ruiz reformed his body under Eddy Reynoso, the coach to Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez, 32.
But he has now left Reynoso to link up with Alfredo Osuna and insisted he is ready to go the full 12 round distance if needed.
Ruiz added: “I wanted to work with Alfredo Osuna a long time ago, it just wasn’t the right time then.
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“He’s used to training for lefty fighters. I feel like this is exactly what I needed for this fight.
“My team is going to bring the best out of me. This might not go the distance, but I’m prepared to go all 12 rounds.
“We’re going to get this victory no matter what on September 4.”
Andy Ruiz Jr fights Luis Ortiz on September 4Credit: RYAN HAFEY More

ANTHONY JOSHUA is “showing serious intentions” by arriving in Saudi Arabia a MONTH early for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk. The pair fight once again on August 20 in Jeddah, almost a year since Usyk won the unified titles in London.
Anthony Joshua training out in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Instagram
The Ukrainian pound-for-pound star has been in Dubai for his training camp, sparring the likes of Martin Bakole.
But now AJ has also made the trip over to the Middle East, a decision hailed by former cruiserweight world champion Johnny Nelson.
And the retired boxer-turned pundit likened it to Muhammad Ali’s famous Rumble in The Jungle fight in Zaire.
Nelson told Sky Sports: “I remember when Ali did it when he was fighting George Foreman in the jungle, he was there for longer than he expected to be.
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“I think, this one here, AJ has gone out there thinking he’s got to do it right. I’m sure he’s taken his team out, his sparring partners out there.
“It’s the best thing to do, just to get used to the heat. He’s got to do everything in his favour, and I like the thinking behind it.
“We can read into so many things, but it shows serious intentions, he’s out there on business, which is a must.”
Joshua, 32, suffered defeat for the first time in June 2019 against underdog Andy Ruiz Jr, 32.
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But he travelled to Saudi six months later to box and move his way back to the belts by winning the rematch over 12 rounds.
However, those same tactics proved unsuccessful against Usyk, 35, who stunned AJ on points.
And it leaves Nelson predicting the pair will both come with new game plans in order to outwit one another.
He said: “It’s not an impossible ask for AJ to get the win.
“He has the ability, he has the tools to do it. He’s just got to make sure he chooses the right tactics.

🥊 AJ vs Usyk 2 date, live stream and TV channel for blockbuster rematch
“Both fighters have had the grace of sharing the ring and knowing what each other’s strengths and weaknesses are.
“Usyk might think about putting the pressure on a bit earlier because he almost had AJ out in the first fight.
“AJ might think about playing Usyk at his own game and putting Usyk under pressure from off, going for broke.
“Neither man is going to go in there with the same tactics they did in the first place, because for Usyk he wants to make sure, he wants to make it clear after the first fight went the distance.
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“He’ll want to finish him off. For AJ, he’ll want to go in there and get him out of there, because he knows as the fight goes on it favours Usyk the most.
“He just can’t afford to let this man feel comfortable in his presence, in his environment, in his company.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 25: Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine fights Anthony Joshua of Great Britain during the Heavyweight Title Fight between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 25, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)Credit: Getty More