Manager: Joe Joyce Has Earned A World Title Shot; He’s Ready For Anybody

Joe Joyce won three regional titles when he knocked out Daniel Dubois last month in London.

Joyce’s manager proclaimed that impressive victory evidence that the huge, hard-hitting contender is ready for a world heavyweight title shot. Champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have their sights set on an enormous showdown with each other in 2021, but Sam Jones feels Joyce established himself as a legitimate threat to elite heavyweights by beating Dubois.

“He’s earned it,” Jones told BT Sport. “Listen to me – Joe Joyce has earned a world title shot. He’s not interested in small fights now. As I just said to [promoter] Frank [Warren] there, he wants big fights. It’s all he’s ever said to me and Adam [Moralee, Joyce’s lawyer] since he fought Ian Lewison on his professional debut. He’s ready for anybody.”

The 35-year-old Joyce (12-0, 11 KOs) was an underdog entering his 12-round fight against the 23-year-old Dubois (15-1, 14 KOs), whom promoter Frank Warren was trying to build into the United Kingdom’s next Joshua.

London’s Joyce trailed on two scorecards entering the 10th round of a completely competitive fight (83-88, 85-86, 87-84). His consistent, hard jab did so much damage to Dubois’ left eye, though, that it was swollen shut when Joyce landed yet another jab that made London’s Dubois take a knee and stay down for the count.

“Joe knew before coming into this fight [he would win],” Jones said. “He knew from get-go. Daniel Dubois has been built up from the bottom. That’s why you saw Frank Warren – he’s hurt. He was upset because he’s been guiding Daniel Dubois, lots of investment, and it’s understandable. But listen, this guy’s the real deal, as I’ve kept annoying you all by telling you all as well. But I’m telling you now – he’s gonna become world heavyweight champion. And get Oleksandr Usyk in the ring with Joe Joyce, and I can assure you Joe will beat him.”

Joyce is ranked 11th by the WBO, but Dubois is ranked second, one spot beneath Usyk (18-0, 13 KOs), the mandatory challenger for Joshua’s WBO belt. The 6-feet-6, 259-pound Joyce also is ranked 11th by the WBC, but he is not rated in the top 15 by the IBF or the WBA. 

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.