Joe Joyce is 12 years older than Daniel Dubois with a wealth of experience behind him, and he believes he will make that experience count on Saturday night (live on BT Sport 1 HD).
The 35-year-old Joyce has only fought 11 times as a professional en route to an 11-0 record (10 inside distance). But before that he had enjoyed a stellar amateur career.
Joyce’s CV in the unpaid ranks included an Olympic Super-Heavyweight silver medal at Rio 2016 when he was unlucky to lose to Frenchman Tony Yoka in the final.
Dubois has looked fearsome in building a 15-0 record (14 inside) but only had seven senior amateur fights before that. And Joe believes his superior experience and knowledge will be a powerful weapon inside London’s Church House on Saturday night.
Joyce, who is rated a 3/1 underdog by the bookmakers, said: “I am not under pressure. I am confident and ready to do the business. The bookies have Daniel (1/4 favourite) in a good position so he has the pressure to deliver. I’m the underdog and coming to take him out.
Joyce out to prove critics, and bookies, wrong
“I don’t care if people have written me off. My amateur experience makes a difference. I have been there and been tested. There are no questions about my ability and my achievements. Dubois hasn’t done anything in the Senior amateurs or quite yet in the pros. I feel I have achieved more in my fewer professional fights than he has.
“I have had the test and answered questions. I’m in a place where I’m ready to go for that world title. I have seen him knockout guys, but do you think I wouldn’t have knocked out those guys? I have power in both hands, I have a good chin, my engine is good and I’m ready to go 12 rounds if need be. If I see the opportunity I will punch him until he’s down.”
Many experts believe if Joyce can survive the early rounds against the big-punching Dubois, his relentless style could well defuse ‘Dynamite’ in the second half of the bout. Joe, unsurprisingly, agrees with that assessment.
“If his power doesn’t put me down he is in a heap of trouble,” he said.
Joyce ready to take Dubois into deep waters
“I’ve taken big punches and kept going forward. I prefer not to take them big shots. I want to move out of the way and not get hit. I’m not blessed with speed but I hit the target and keep coming.
“I don’t want to leave it to chance. I want to go to work, find my range and knock him out. I have nothing to say to him except respect your elders and he will do on Saturday night.”
Should Joyce emerge victorious on Saturday night, he will enter 2021 on the brink of a world heavyweight title shot. Dubois is currently ranked number 2 by the WBO and Joyce would take that spot with a victory.
If current champion Anthony Joshua vacate the title to chase a clash with Tyson Fury, then the Dubois vs Joyce winner will likely meet mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk for the vacant title.
Joyce will be without trainer Ismael Salas in his corner on Saturday night, after Salas tested positive for COVID-19.
