Joe Joyce had a stellar amateur career before turning over to the paid ranks, and it brought him up close and personal with Olympic champions Anthony Joshua and Tony Yoka.
Joyce, also a mainstay of Team GB, sparred plenty with 2012 super-heavyweight gold medalist Joshua, and met Yoka in the super-heavyweight final at Rio 2016.
That final saw Joe come out on the losing side as Yoka took the gold, with many experts feeling the British man had been unlucky not to get the decision.
Joe (12-0), currently preparing to meet Carlos Takam (39-5-1) on Saturday July 24, took time out to talk about both men.
Joe Joyce on Anthony Joshua
“We’ve had lots of good, competitive rounds in the ring. It’s a good fight, a 50-50 fight.
“My footwork, punch variety, punch durability. Also I’ve got punch power as well so I can trouble him.
“Credit to Joshua though, he’s a great fighter. He’s got a good defence, has high punch output and he puts them together well. He’s got good uppercuts. He’s a strong guy, so it’ll be a tough fight. I look forward to the opportunity to punch him up.”
Joe Joyce on Tony Yoka
“He had his two-year ban, but he did look quite good in his last fight, he looked strong. I don’t think he’s quite earned his place to fight me yet.
“He needs a few more fights yet and hopefully by then I’ll be World Champion and maybe I’ll give him a defence.”
Joyce vs Takam next
Joyce vs Takam will take place at London’s SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday July 24. The same night Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder 3 goes down in Las Vegas.
It is a massive night of heavyweight action, and Joyce vs Takam will headline the London card on BT Sport.
