FLIPPIN’ MARVEL
Mum’s the word as Joyce makes short work of unbeaten Dubois
Yet it was Marvel, his mum, who was part of his motivation to upset the pre- fight favourite in their British, Commonwealth and European heavyweight title fight.
Dubois said, rather awkwardly and naively, back in February that it would be great Joyce’s visuallyimpaired mum would not be able to see her son get knocked out.
You couldn’t have predicted that the jab of Joyce would end up leaving Dubois with his own vision problems nine months later.
But a fractured orbital bone led to the downfall of Dubois, who suffered his first defeat as a pro at the hands of the more experienced and unmovable Joyce, as he took a knee in the 10th round and didn’t beat the count.
“I forgive him for what he said,” said ‘ The Juggernaut’.
“Maybe it was in the heat of the moment or he might have got told to say it, it was a bit respectful.
“But I have respect for him and he can come again because he’s young.”
Dubois, at 23, has plenty of time to come again but there will be doubts now about his eye and – maybe harshly – his heart going forward.
But the brilliance of art- loving Joyce on Saturday night in the iconic hall of Church House in Westminster cannot be brushed over.
At 35 and without his head trainer
ON THE ATTACK: Joyce lands a right on Dubois
Ismael Salas in the corner, the Putney puncher was given little hope of upsetting the heir apparent to the heavyweight throne.
But the 2016 Olympic silver medallist has the class and calmness to stay composed as he stuck to his game plan of beating Dubois to the jab time and time again.
Credit must go to his young trainer Steve Broughton, who stepped in in Salas’ absence.
Joyce was helped by a remarkable chin which withstood some huge right hands from Dubois, who had previously stopped 14 opponents out of 15.
Now it is Joyce who is heading into world title contention and there is the possibility of a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk for the WBO title if it becomes vacant in 2021.
Usyk and Joyce shared a ring in 2013, with the Ukrainian coming out on top in their World Series of Boxing contest, a proamateur hybrid over five rounds.
“I’m hell of better fighter
now,” said Joyce. “I’ve got better preparation now, I’ve had more rounds. I can land more shots, tire him out and take him out.
“He’s quite a small heavyweight but I rate him, he’s got skill. It’s hard to hit him but with my team I reckon I could take him because I’m a more experienced fighter.
“He’s put on some muscle, so he’s a little bit slower. I rate him because he’s got the brains and he’s got good footwork and head movement.
“It would be a difficult fight but
one I want and one I could win.” Many feel Joyce has not got much time on his hands, after just his 12th pro win, but he insists his body is not jaded by years in the amateurs.
Now he has settled his feud with Dubois, he is out to make up for missing out on Olympic gold by winning a world title.
“The crown on the top will be a world title and to go down in history as a heavyweight champion,” said Joyce.
DANIEL DUBOIS faces months out of action after suffering a fractured orbital bone – but promoter Frank Warren has backed him to recover.
It is understood the British heavyweight also has some nerve damage around the left eye from his 10th- round defeat at the hands of Joe Joyce in Westminster. Dubois, 23, took a knee when he was caught by a jab from Joyce and opted not to beat the count.
The Greenwich fighter spent the night at Moorfields Eye Hospital before being released yesterday morning and he will see a specialist today to decide if an operation is needed. Despite the serious injury, he was accused of quitting by a number of leading boxing figures.
“It is not the end of the world for him, he didn’t get a belting,” said Warren.
“It’s a horrible injury. With a bit of luck we will get the rematch by the end of next year.” Joyce said: “I would prefer to go out on my shield rather than stop the fight like that.”