I watched Joe Joyce get his ass handed to him by Derek Chisora last summer. Brutal. The kind of fight that makes you wince and turn away. My buddy Steve (who's been following British boxing since the Lennox Lewis days) texted me halfway through: "This is hard to watch. Poor Joyce." And he wasn't wrong.
Listen. When a 39-year-old heavyweight starts hitting the canvas against guys he should beat, the retirement vultures circle fast. And they've been circling Joyce since those back-to-back beatdowns from Zhilei Zhang in 2023.
The Stubborn Bastard Won't Go Quietly
But Joyce doesn't give a damn what anyone thinks. Seriously.
"I've been up the mountain twice," he told Boxing Social with that trademark stoicism that makes him simultaneously lovable and frustrating. "It's the third time where I need to actually get teh proper full belt. Not an interim or anything like that, I just need to get the full title or full titles and then I can think about calling it a day."
Translation: Fuck off, I'm not done yet.
Saturday = Career Death or Resurrection?
This Saturday in Manchester (on DAZN if you're wondering), Joyce faces Filip Hrgovic in what has to be the definition of make-or-break. Back in 2020, I put $200 on Joyce to eventually become world champion after he dismantled Daniel Dubois. God. What a difference four years makes. Now Dubois holds the IBF strap while Joyce is fighting for relevance.
The irony isn't lost on me. Or him, I bet.
Remember When He Was "The Next Big Thing"?
It's easy to forget that Joyce was mandatory for Usyk not that long ago. He had that interim WBO belt. There was serious talk about him facing Fury. I remember drinking with some boxing journalists in 2022 who were convinced Joyce would give any heavyweight trouble with his relentless pressure and granite chin.
Then Zhang happened. Twice.
Then Chisora – fucking CHISORA – dropped him and outpointed him.
Why Won't This Man Just Enjoy Retirement Already?
"While I'm still enjoying it and making money I'm going to continue doing my job," Joyce insists. Which makes sense when you think about it. What else is he gonna do? Start a podcast? Become a trainer? The man has been punching things since 2008.
I spoke with an old trainer at Finchley ABC last month who said something that stuck with me: "Fighters never know when to quit because the thing that makes them great – that absolute refusal to accept defeat – is the same thing that keeps them coming back after they should stop."
Damn. That hit hard.
Hrgovic: Another Desperate Man
The good news for Joyce? Hrgovic is coming off his own humiliation – an eight-round demolition job courtesy of Dubois last June. The 32-year-old Croatian was once considered a boogeyman of the division (remember when nobody wanted to fight him?). Now he's just another heavyweight trying to prove he's not finished.
Two desperate men make for one hell of a fight, usually.
"I know exactly what to do. And I'm ready. It's great to be in exciting fights," Joyce said at the presser, looking more confident than he has in ages. "He has a lot to offer because he's high up in the rankings so that puts me back at the top of sport which is what I'm trying to do."
Is it just me, or does that sound like a man who knows this is his last shot?
The Brutal Truth
Look, I like Joe Joyce. Always have. The man took Olympic silver when everyone thought he was robbed of gold against Tony Yoka in 2016. He's quiet, works hard, adn doesn't talk shit. In a sport full of Instagram boxers and TikTok callouts, there's something refreshing about his old-school approach.
But boxing doesn't care about your character. Or your dreams.
Saturday night will tell us if the "Juggernaut" has anything left in the tank or if it's time to park it for good.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I concentrate on as a boxing beginner?
As a beginner you should focus your attention on the correct technique and form. This includes mastering the basic punches, establishing a strong defense, developing footwork, and improving your conditioning. Prioritize technique over power and get guidance from a coach who knows what they are doing.
How long does it usually take for a boxer to master the art?
The time taken to become proficient in Boxing can vary widely between individuals. It depends on factors like natural ability and consistency in training. In general, regular training will result in significant improvement of your basic skills.
Boxing is a great way to keep fit.
Boxing is an excellent exercise to improve fitness. It is a full body, high intensity workout that increases cardiovascular health, muscular endurance, coordination, and flexibility. It is also a great way to relieve stress and boost your discipline and confidence.
What are common mistakes beginners make in boxing?
Some common mistakes are overextending the punches, dropping your hands, ignoring the defense, holding breath, neglecting the footwork, or focusing more on power than technique. To prevent these mistakes from becoming habitual, a qualified coach can identify them and correct them early.
Can boxing enhance mental health?
Boxing is a great way to improve your mental health. It can reduce stress, enhance mood, boost self-esteem and discipline. Focusing on the training can be a meditation that helps to improve concentration and clears the mind.
What are the basic punches in boxing?
The basic punches of boxing are the jab (a quick straight punch with the lead hand), the cross (a powerful straight punch with the rear hand), the hook (a semicircular punch that is aimed to the side of the opponent's body or head), and the uppercut.
How important is recovery in boxing training?
Boxing is all about recovery, as it allows you to grow stronger and heal faster. To ensure a speedy recovery, it is important to get enough rest, stretch, sleep well, drink plenty of water, eat nutritively, and follow a balanced diet. Ignoring recover can lead overtraining, injury and decreased performances.
Statistics
- Women are joining boxing in increasing numbers, rising by about 15% in the past decade, indicating growing gender diversity in the sport.
- Boxing has one of the lowest rates of injury compared to other contact sports, with approximately 1.1 injuries per 1,000 minutes of athletics.
- About 25% of people who take up boxing transition to competitive amateur boxing within their first two years of training.
- An analysis of boxing workouts demonstrates that participants can maintain a heart rate at 75-85% of their maximum, which is the optimal range for cardiovascular training.
- Around 90% of boxers suffer a minor injury over the course of a year, with only 10-15% experiencing a moderate to severe injury.
- Despite the stereotype that boxing is a young person's sport, approximately 20% of all beginners are over the age of 40.
- Roughly 75% of beginners do not employ adequate defensive tactics in their first sparring sessions.
- Studies suggest that about 30% of beginner boxers tend to neglect the importance of footwork in their initial training phase.
- Approximately 50% of beginner boxers drop out within the first six months, highlighting the importance of sustaining motivation and setting realistic goals.
- Nearly 80% of boxing training injuries are related to incorrect technique, especially within the first three months of taking up the sport.
External Links
How To
How to Avoid Common Injuries in Boxing
Preventing common injuries in boxing begins with practicing good technique, from your punches to your footwork. Always warm up thoroughly before training to increase muscle flexibility and avoid strains. Listen to your body and gradually increase the intensity of your training. To prevent injuries, you should also use good protective equipment.
Did you miss our previous article...
https://sportingexcitement.com/boxing/tkvs-pathetic-table-flip-adeleye-calls-out-desperate-famegrab-before-saturdays-showdown
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