Joyce vs Szpilka rumours, what do you think about this potential match-up?

[oogiebe]

and Joyce vs Bakole is a fight i'd like to see.

same

[dagilechia]

funny thing with Bakole is that he's officially 26 but he looks 43... but he really impressed me vs Wach, hovewer, Wach was terrible in that fight.

[gilgamesh]

I like it. Szpilka is a reasonably tough guy who can move a little. Don't see him making it past the first 6, but he might have his moments in there before Joyce takes him out.

[oogiebe]

funny thing with Bakole is that he's officially 26 but he looks 43... but he really impressed me vs Wach, hovewer, Wach was terrible in that fight.

LOL! He does look older than 26.

[candyslim]

Personally I think Szpilka has better wins and better performances all round. Much better than Ustinov and the kind of fight he should've taken instead of Ustinov which will now look even more pointless. I'd rank him 25-50, whereas Ustinov is probably 50-100 right now.

Joyce beats them both easily but beating Szpilka more helps his claim to a title shot and organisation rankings.

You're right Josh, Szpilka is more credible than Ustinov if you were to force me to choose, but it does rather strike me as considering whether a springbok or an impala stands more chance of fighting off a hungry lion.

[dagilechia]

this fight will not happen - Szpilka wanted to fight but his promoter rejected the offer.

[oogiebe]

this fight will not happen - Szpilka wanted to fight but his promoter rejected the offer.

LOL was he offered 7 million?

[Ruthless-RKO]

isnt joyce already abc ranked, technically he could already get a shot

Yeh. But Joshua/Wilder aren’t going to ‘choose’ to fight Joyce. Most of the good ones have to wait to be mandated a shot these days.

[3132DW]

Yeh. But Joshua/Wilder aren’t going to ‘choose’ to fight Joyce. Most of the good ones have to wait to be mandated a shot these days.

If Whyte’s anything to go off - you might be no1 for 3 years and still not get a shot.

[Lackeos]

I think Stiverne is utter crap, as evidenced by the fight where he threw 4 punches and landed 0 against Wilder. Ustinov is pretty crappy, given his defeat to Charr, which he was supposed to win. No matter how bad you think Szpilka is, he's got to be better than Stiverne and Ustinov. Which, btw, I would be commenting on the respectability of Szpilka's win over Wach, if Wach had not turned around and lost to Martin Bakole Ilunga and ruined his credibility. Either way you slice it, Szpilka is probably the first legit top 50 opponent that Joyce would have faced.

In terms of toughness, though, I don't think Szpilka is going to be able to give Joyce a hard time out. Szpilka folded in four rounds against Kownacki, how long could he possibly last against Joyce? This fight is just a little extra preparation before Joyce fights someone in the top 35.

[Lennox]

Big step up for JJ but he will win this comfortably. Nice to see the matchmakers step it up.

[funso banjo baby]

not much to choose between Ustinov or szpilka

Ustinov is a big lug

szpilka is tiny

and neither can punch their way of a wet paper bag

mind you Joyce is probably the weakest puncher out there

[candyslim]

You don't 'alf talk some shite sometimes

I know he hasn't faced any really tough opposition but he has a 100% stoppage ratio including one over two time title contender (if admittedly somewhat flattered by that description) Bermane Stiverne.

Say what you like about his lack of defence, his lack of speed, his horror-movie-Mummy offensive strategy, but to say he's a weak puncher is bollocks quite frankly.

[oogiebe]

You don't 'alf talk some shite sometimes

I know he hasn't faced any really tough opposition but he has a 100% stoppage ratio including one over two time title contender (if admittedly somewhat flattered by that description) Bermane Stiverne.

Say what you like about his lack of defence, his lack of speed, his horror-movie-Mummy offensive strategy, but to say he's a weak puncher is bollocks quite frankly.

I didn't take that comment seriously. I figured he was goofing. (hoping)

[jamamb]

ive seen that mentioned several times now, that he cant punch

[candyslim]

Yeah me too. Where does that idea come from? Surely they can't all be kidding can they?

[oogiebe]

If there's one undeniable thing about Joyce, it's that he can thud! To deny that is just ridiculous.

[candyslim]

Yep. Not saying he hits like Wilder or Foreman but I'd say punching power was one of his key attributes.

[dagilechia]

we will see, he's still to fight someone with a pulse (knocking out Stiverne means completely nothing)

[candyslim]

With you on that one Dagi although I was surprised by the amount of resistance shown by Stiverne in that fight. He showed courage and pride which I didn't suspect he still had after the Wilder blitz.

[Onetimeonly]

Yeh. But Joshua/Wilder aren’t going to ‘choose’ to fight Joyce. Most of the good ones have to wait to be mandated a shot these days.

Joyce isn't particularly good. I think he'd be close to 50/50 with breazeale or Ruiz.

[candyslim]

I think the only reason Joshua isn't likely to choose a defence against Joyce is that Joyce is likely to be viewed as a soft option by boxing fans. He needs to establish his credentials before Hearn would look at him.

AJ is likely to be kept busy by mandatory commitments anyway so Joyce's best chance is to aim to get nominated as mandatory by the WBA or someone, which is presumably why he's been targeting Charr (or Kabayel for the EBU title) as his preferred next opponent.

Now Usyk is out of the Takam fight it is going to delay his WBO challenge against Joshua. I assume the WBO will nominate an alternative mandatory failing which Joshua should be able to squeeze in a voluntary later this year - hopefully Luis Ortiz.

Whether Joyce's affiliation with PBC makes him an acceptable Wilder opponent is a possibility, but seems to me rather doubtful. Aside from the question of nationality, Haymon might regard him as an unnecessary risk. Risks have had to be taken, DW couldn't continue fighting a line of cab drivers, but having survived relatively high risk challengers Ortiz and Fury, Haymon probably figures Kownacki and/or Ortiz II will be regarded kindly and he'd probably be right.

I'd favour Joyce over Breazeale based mainly on his vast amateur experience against the best in the world.

[Onetimeonly]

Joyce is much more accurate and hits harder than breazeale. He's equally sloooooowww and easy to hit. Be a great fight.

[candyslim]

Sure would.

[hhaehre]

Joyce isn't particularly good. I think he'd be close to 50/50 with breazeale or Ruiz.

He'd struggle with Ruiz, who can box a little. I think he crushes Breazeale in a sloppy brawl.