Joe Joyce - what next

[Ruthless-RKO]

How will he be allowed to fight in Moscow ?

Why not?

[2457825]

I don't think he should be permitted to fight anywhere, he's damaged and is only going suffer further damage if he carries on.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Joyce set for return in Moscow against Suslenkov

Britain's Joe Joyce will return to the ring for the first time in more than a year when he challenges undefeated Russian heavyweight Artem Suslenkov for the WBA Continental title in Moscow on 11 July.

Joyce, 40, has been out of action since he lost to Filip Hrgovic by unanimous decision for the vacant WBO international heavyweight title in April 2025.

The 2016 Olympic silver medallist has lost four of his past five fights, with his last victory coming against Kash Ali in March 2024.

After the Hrgovic defeat, Joyce's promoter allegedly said he needed to have a "real serious think about the future".

But despite the setbacks, Joyce - who has a professional record of 16 wins and four losses - says he has spent the past 12 months "preparing, training and wanting to be back in the ring".

"I'm excited for the opportunity to travel to Russia and challenge for the WBA Continental heavyweight title on July 11," added Joyce.

"Thank you to IBA Pro for the opportunity. My team and I are locked in and Moscow should get ready for a big performance."

Suslenkov, 30, comes into the fight with a perfect record from his 14 professional fights, with nine of his victories coming by way of knockout.

The Volgograd-born heavyweight last fought in April when he successfully defended his WBA Continental title against Artur Mann.

The stoppage victory moved Suslenkov into the WBA's top 10 heavyweight rankings for the first time.

"Joyce is a powerful opponent with strong technique and vast experience. This is a serious challenge," said Suslenkov. "I feel both excitement and full focus.

"This is a chance to show my level and give the fans something to cheer about."

The IBA Pro 19 card will be headlined by Murat Gassiev's defence of his WBA heavyweight title against Tony Yoka.

[2457825]

'WBA Continental heavyweight title'

[2457825]

So two straight losses, (four losses in his last five fights) qualifies him to fight for this spurious title ?

Way to go WBA

[deadpan]

My 10p goes on him being jobbed on the scorecards.

[Ruthless-RKO]

So two straight losses, (four losses in his last five fights) qualifies him to fight for this spurious title ?

Way to go WBA

It’s just a nothing belt where he will pay a fee and get a decent ranking afterwards

[joshj909]

So two straight losses, (four losses in his last five fights) qualifies him to fight for this spurious title ?

Way to go WBA

It’s just a nothing belt where he will pay a fee and get a decent ranking afterwards

Yep, Frank is paying the WBA for him to get a possible fight against Yoka which would sell reasonably well with the Olympic promotion. The russian are probably happy enough with the possibility that they could get an all russian right for the WBA regular belt after that. Frank would probably try and push for Joyce or Yoka to get a mandatory against Usyk after that as a Gold medalist Vs Gold medalist or WSB rematch. If Usyk rejects and vacates which he will then Itauma gets a chance to demolish Joyce or Yoka for a vacant WBA belt. I imagine that's the one year plan here.

[Ruthless-RKO]

So two straight losses, (four losses in his last five fights) qualifies him to fight for this spurious title ?

Way to go WBA

It’s just a nothing belt where he will pay a fee and get a decent ranking afterwards

Yep, Frank is paying the WBA for him to get a possible fight against Yoka which would sell reasonably well with the Olympic promotion. The russian are probably happy enough with the possibility that they could get an all russian right for the WBA regular belt after that. Frank would probably try and push for Joyce or Yoka to get a mandatory against Usyk after that as a Gold medalist Vs Gold medalist or WSB rematch. If Usyk rejects and vacates which he will then Itauma gets a chance to demolish Joyce or Yoka for a vacant WBA belt. I imagine that's the one year plan here.

You think Yoka will dethrone Gassiev?

[margaret thatcher]

suddenly a bunch more people are confident in yoka again for some reason

[joshj909]

It’s just a nothing belt where he will pay a fee and get a decent ranking afterwards

Yep, Frank is paying the WBA for him to get a possible fight against Yoka which would sell reasonably well with the Olympic promotion. The russian are probably happy enough with the possibility that they could get an all russian right for the WBA regular belt after that. Frank would probably try and push for Joyce or Yoka to get a mandatory against Usyk after that as a Gold medalist Vs Gold medalist or WSB rematch. If Usyk rejects and vacates which he will then Itauma gets a chance to demolish Joyce or Yoka for a vacant WBA belt. I imagine that's the one year plan here.

You think Yoka will dethrone Gassiev?

Well, you'd think that's what Frank has in mind by getting that fight for him. I also think if Wallin beat Gassiev just by being tall and long then Yoka should be able to do the job. Gassiev barely had anything for Wallin who is is pretty average. Both Yoka and Gassiev have been disappointing as pro heavies so anything could happen really.

[tiny_acres]

Yep, Frank is paying the WBA for him to get a possible fight against Yoka which would sell reasonably well with the Olympic promotion. The russian are probably happy enough with the possibility that they could get an all russian right for the WBA regular belt after that. Frank would probably try and push for Joyce or Yoka to get a mandatory against Usyk after that as a Gold medalist Vs Gold medalist or WSB rematch. If Usyk rejects and vacates which he will then Itauma gets a chance to demolish Joyce or Yoka for a vacant WBA belt. I imagine that's the one year plan here.

You think Yoka will dethrone Gassiev?

Well, you'd think that's what Frank has in mind by getting that fight for him. I also think if Wallin beat Gassiev just by being tall and long then Yoka should be able to do the job. Gassiev barely had anything for Wallin who is is pretty average. Both Yoka and Gassiev have been disappointing as pro heavies so anything could happen really.

I think you have to favor yoka against Gassiev. But Yoka is nothing really special as a pro.
So anything can happen.
But I'm thinking it is going to be a boring fight. Neither fighter impresses me

[margaret thatcher]

i dont get why we even have to favour yoka against gassiev, yoka losing to freakin ryad merhy is worse than gass losing to otter wallin, plus the fight is in russia

[tiny_acres]

How good is Suslenov? Isn't he the one that beat Hunter in an IBA sanctioned bout?

[joshj909]

How good is Suslenov? Isn't he the one that beat Hunter in an IBA sanctioned bout?

Didn't Hunter claim he didn't think it was a proper fight or something like that? Either way, I'd still favour Joyce unless Suslenkov is quick.

[margaret thatcher]

suslenkov is decent but very basic. walk forward 6'1 guy who mostly outworks/bulls opponents. i imagine his ceiling is low top 25-30 but he's too simple to do much better

its an interesting fight vs joyce, it feels like it could go either way at this stage of joyce's career. joe before zhang woulda beat him up

[margaret thatcher]

How good is Suslenov? Isn't he the one that beat Hunter in an IBA sanctioned bout?

Didn't Hunter claim he didn't think it was a proper fight or something like that? Either way, I'd still favour Joyce unless Suslenkov is quick.

watching hunter in this fight, and his body language before/during/after the bout.......i 100 percent believe hunter that he thought it was just an exhibition. he was goofing around and smiling and playing around unlike hes done in any real fight, he was all smiles for suslenkov after the decision too

[SeanBrennan]

Did not see this one coming I thought Joyce had quietly retired