Joe Joyce apparently doesn’t suppose that Anthony Joshua ever actually made a full pivot, stylistically talking, from the unpaid ranks.
Joyce, a prime contender for the WBO heavyweight title, has seen his inventory rise after he bludgeoned former titlist Joseph Parker in 11 rounds in September. The Londoner has now set his sights on a title shot, probably in opposition to the winner of the projected undisputed heavyweight championship between WBC titlist Tyson Fury and WBA, WBO, IBF champion Oleksandr Usyk; the 2 are in talks to struggle in March, most certainly someplace within the Center East.
One other struggle on Joyce’s radar is a showdown with Joshua, who, with two consecutive losses by the hands of Usyk, has been experiencing a backslide in his profession.
After canning his longtime coach, Robert McCracken, and enlisting Robert Garcia forward of the rematch with Usyk in August, Joshua seems to be as soon as extra on the hunt for a brand new coach. He was noticed in the USA just lately working with the likes of Virgil Hunter, the coach of Corridor of Famer Andre Ward, and Derrick James, greatest often known as the coach for unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. and undisputed 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo. It isn’t clear who Joshua will likely be working with transferring ahead, however he’s anticipated to return to the ring in April, adopted by a rematch with former nemesis Dillian Whyte in the summertime.
Joyce thinks Joshua, for all his success, remains to be on a studying curve of kinds and that he has not shaken off a few of his habits from his newbie days.
“I suppose he didn’t actually make any adjustments as a professional,” Joyce informed iD Boxing. “He stayed with the newbie setup along with his newbie coach in Robert McCracken. I imply … he’s a very good coach and good for the GB setup.
“Anyway, I feel he’s nonetheless sort of studying. However I don’t know what has occurred. He’s a bit gun shy now as a result of he’s been knocked down and been out on his toes a variety of instances.”
Joyce additionally indicated in the identical interview that he has seen that Joshua hardly ever mentions him by identify interviews. Nonetheless, “The Juggernaut” says he would like to swap punches with Joshua sooner or later.
“He’s bought phenomenal energy and his boxing skills are very tidy and stuff and he’s an ideal businessman,” Joyce mentioned of Joshua. “So, yeah, I need to struggle him in the future and I hope he’s up for the problem.”