Joe Joyce, the former Olympic silver medalist and once-dominant heavyweight contender, has declared his intention to continue his professional boxing career despite the mounting questions surrounding his recent performances, including a concerning 11th-round stoppage loss to Artem Suslenkov on July 11 in Moscow. The report on this matter was initially published by sportsamo.com.
Adding to the bewilderment of his latest defeat, Joyce admitted to being unable to recall the exact circumstances leading to his surrender in the Suslenkov bout. Speaking from his hotel room in the aftermath, a disoriented Joyce confessed he believed he was ahead on the scorecards and only realized the fight’s outcome upon reviewing footage. He theorizes a significant blow may have impaired his vision, leading to his inability to continue.
"I went back to the hotel room, and I was like, ‘What really happened?’" Joyce told talkSPORT Boxing. "I felt like I was winning the fight, and then I watched it back, and I was like, ‘Whoa.’ I think what might have happened, I might have taken a big shot. I couldn’t really see."
This admission highlights a troubling pattern of decline for "The Juggernaut," who has now lost five of his last six professional contests. The downturn began in April 2023 with his first encounter against Zhilei Zhang. Repeated powerful left hands from Zhang inflicted significant damage to Joyce’s right eye, ultimately leading to a sixth-round TKO. The rematch five months later saw Zhang secure a more definitive victory, knocking Joyce out in just three rounds.
Further defeats have followed against Filip Hrgovic, Derek Chisora, and most recently, Artem Suslenkov. The losses to Chisora and Suslenkov, in particular, have raised eyebrows among boxing analysts. Neither opponent is considered an elite heavyweight, yet they were able to outwork and ultimately defeat a significantly diminished version of Joyce. This contrasts sharply with the fighter who displayed remarkable resilience and power in stopping Joseph Parker decisively in 2022.
A significant factor contributing to Joyce’s struggles appears to be his substantial increase in fighting weight. After maintaining a consistent weight in the 250-260 pound range for much of his earlier career, his weight has ballooned dramatically. He tipped the scales at a career-high 289 pounds for the Suslenkov fight, following previous significant weigh-ins of 281 ¼ lbs against Zhang in their rematch, 286 ½ lbs against Kash Ali, and 281 ¼ lbs against Chisora. While never a speed demon, carrying nearly 290 pounds has visibly hampered his athleticism, leading to slower punches, heavier footwork, and opponents having more time to land their own shots. The visual transformation is stark; Joyce now appears "puffy," a far cry from the more streamlined physique he sported when he turned professional in 2017. The personal reasons behind this weight gain remain undisclosed by the fighter.
Despite these concerning trends, Joyce is reportedly exploring his options and is currently without a promoter. He even floated the possibility of joining Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, though he stressed that no direct contact or offer has been made. "Zuffa would be – I’d be open to having a conversation with Dana White," Joyce stated. "Have a conversation with everyone, see what’s out there."
Trainer SugarHill Steward, who has worked with Joyce, offered a degree of support for the decision to stop the Suslenkov fight, citing visible signs of fatigue. Steward expressed optimism that consistent gym work could help restore some of the athletic prowess that has been absent in recent outings. However, accepting this optimistic outlook becomes increasingly difficult when observing Joyce’s prolonged period of decline over the past three years. His fighting style, which once revolved around absorbing punishment and grinding opponents down, now appears unsustainable as his durability is demonstrably compromised. The fact that he cannot recall the end of his most recent fight only amplifies the concern surrounding his future.
Looking ahead, Joyce has named Daniel Dubois, Joseph Parker, Filip Hrgovic, and Derek Chisora as potential opponents for rematches. This is an ambitious list for a fighter who has secured only one victory since September 2022. At 40 years old, with his physical resilience waning and his weight continuing to trend upwards, the prospect of him recapturing his former elite status appears increasingly remote. Without a significant return to a more manageable fighting weight and a renewed focus on his conditioning, further defeats seem an almost inevitable consequence for Joe Joyce.
