Joe Joyce - what next

[Ruthless-RKO]

How will he be allowed to fight in Moscow ?

Why not?

[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.

[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

[Ruthless-RKO]

Joe Joyce, targeting rematch with Daniel Dubois, admits it was a 'bad decision' to fight Zhilei Zhang

Joe Joyce admits it was a “bad decision” to fight Zhilei Zhang after victories over Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker left the 2016 Olympic silver medallist regarded as one of the best heavyweights in the world.

Joyce was 15-0 heading into his April 2023 showdown with Zhang, widely expected to win, and considered the most deserving to challenge then-leaders Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

Zhang, however, stopped him in six rounds and, in a too hastily arranged rematch, Joyce was blasted out five months later inside three.

Now 40 years old and trained by SugarHill Steward, the 16-4 (15 KOs) Joyce is still hoping to scale old heights despite losing four of five bouts since. He takes on Artem Suslenkov on the Murat Gassiev vs Tony Yoka undercard in Moscow on July 11.

A rematch with Dubois, who is now the WBO champion, is something that appeals to Joyce.

"It's always an attractive option," Joyce told Sky Sports. "Before I took Zhang, which was obviously a bad decision, I was WBO interim [beltholder] off the back of beating Dubois and Parker. So, it's just like a bit of a mistake that I'm going to rectify now."

Though he laboured to victory over Kash Ali following the losses to Zhang, he was subsequently beaten on points by Derek Chisora and Filip Hrgovic. Regardless, an impressive victory over Suslenkov might make him an appealing rival for Dubois should he wish to avenge an old defeat.

"I've got to deal with what's in front of me first before looking too far ahead," Joyce said.

"The motivation is getting the win and getting back in there and putting in a dominant performance.

"I've made some changes and I'm training hard and getting ready for that fight… I'm ready to show you what I've learned."

[wrighty]

I think if he and Yoka both win, they run it back on a IBA pro show. It makes for a big story

[2468166]

Are BBBoC license holders permitted to box on IBA shows?

[Eolaithe]

I’d be interested to see whether SugarHill Steward can adapt Joe Joyce’s style, similar to how Emmanuel Steward helped the defensively vulnerable Wladimir Klitschko use ugly but effective jab, grab, and lean tactics.

The 'Juggernaut' is clearly past his best, nearing 41 and without an impressive performance since 2022, but I’d still favour him against fighters such as Dillian Whyte, Martin Bakole, Luis Ortiz and Frazer Clarke (to help rebuild his name).

If he beats one or two of those guys, then he should be able to earn a decent retirement payday by becoming a sacrificial lamb for one of the division’s rising prospects, or accepting lucrative rematches he would definitely lose (i.e. Joseph Parker or Daniel Dubois).

[Ruthless-RKO]

Can he retire now. What a fall he’s had.

[Coco]

Getting beat isn't a reason to give up, getting old and getting beat up is

[Ricky]

Take his licence off him, for his own sake.

[MasterG]

Did Joyce do a No Mas?

[goose 5]

Certainly appeared to be a "No Mas".

[Old bones Ian]

He said that's enough while still standing, is that any different from a boxer knowingly rising just a split second after the ref counts to ten, or laying on ropes knowing if you don't throw back that's game over.
It's all a way of saying no mas , and to be fair he'd taken 10 rounds of punches so if he's had enough that's ok.