By Gabriel Princewill-
Triumphant Joe Joyce is vying for the heavyweight WBO No 2 ranking, previously ascribed to big punching Daniel Dubois before his loss of last weekend.
The sudden aspiration comes in the wake of his latest victory against fancied Dubois, whom he defeated in 10 hard fought rounds in London. Joyce, 35, is banking on Anthony Joshua who holds three world title belts, vacating the WBO belt in pursuit of a unification showdown with Tyson Fury.
That is assuming a mediation process currently being explored between Wilder and Fury’s team for a trilogy does not interfere with the highly anticipated fight between Joshua and Fury. Any such interference will either mean Joyce waiting a bit longer, or having a rematch with Dubois later next year if his eyes recover on time following an expected surgery he is soon to have.
After just 12 fights as a professional, Joyce’s ambitions has suddenly been elevated with this big one win against Dubois. It was a true 50-50 high risk fight which neither man had any sure grounds on which to boast of victory ahead of time.
The fact Dubois was winning the fight on two of the judge’s score card, is – a reflection of how fiercely contested the fight was- but Joyce’s durability and resilience earned him the victory once he capitalised on the vicious damage he inflicted on his opponent’s eyes earlier in the fight.
The two combatants were evenly matched in overall ability, but Joyce’s superior amateur credentials gave him that edge when it came to the overall timing and delivery of his shots which culminated in the eventual damage to Dubois’s eye.
Joyce ‘s manager Sam Jones told Sky Sport “Joe wants Usyk for the WBO belt.”
“If Joshua doesn’t vacate, he has to fight Usyk.
“I hope Joshua does vacate and we’ll fight Usyk – Joe is very confident in that fight as well.
“Rightfully, Joe should take Dubois’ No 2 slot [in the WBO rankings].
“If the belt becomes vacant, Usyk would have to fight Joe for the title.
“It’s a great fight, an intriguing fight, Usyk is a brilliant character and an unbelievable fighter who Joe has admiration for.”
Dream
It would be a dream if Joyce secures the fight with Usyk, and actually wins to become a world heavyweight champion next year.
Joyce’s relative inexperience in the paid ranks will make him an attractive inclusion in the top mix if he is successful, but is he pushing his luck in wanting to make this leap soon?
Ollegsandr Usyk Image: fight nights.com
His CV is looking better now, that he came through the high risk fight. However, we must not forget that Dubois was ahead on points against his best opponent to date, but was too visually and physically incapacitated to attempt a miraculous reversal of roles.
Joyce told Sky Sports: “I want to win a heavyweight world title.”It would be a mental battle but a physical one too because he’d have a big ‘Juggernaut’ coming towards him for 12 rounds.”