A YEAR TO RE JOYCE
Rio Games silver medallist ready to somersault his way into the big time by turning professional in 2017 I’m so excited. I want British and European title... then I can go for World domination and be the next Joshua
OLYMPIC silver medallist Joe Joyce will turn pro in 2017 with the resolution that more gongs are coming.
The 31-year-old, who was controversially beaten in the super-heavyweight final at the summer’s Rio Games, remains in talks with potential promoters.
But he plans to make an announcement in the New Year and then get busy in the ring as he tries to emulate his mate Anthony Joshua by becoming a world champion.
Joyce, speaking at the re-opening of Earlsfield Boxing Club in south-west London, where he grew up and still trains at weekends, said: “It’s very exciting to be part of the heavyweight scene at the moment.
“There are plenty of good heavyweights, some who are established and some who are emerging.
“I’ll be ready early next year, that’s the plan.
“I’d like to have six to eight fights ideally in 2017 — I want to be busy.
“I haven’t decided who I’m going to go with, promotional-wise. I’ve got ideas but I haven’t anything solid to say.
“As for time frames, it will be a case of one fight at a time, but obviously I have a longterm plan and goals: the British title, the Commonwealth title, European and World”
Joyce and Joshua, who won go ld at the London Games in 2012, are regular sparring partners at their Shef field gym and Joyce is soaking up everything he can learn from his pal.
There is also respect for what Tyson Fury and David Haye have achieved in the fight game, with former Great Britain boxers Joshua and Fury in particular blazing a trail for him to follow in the paid ranks.
Joyce added: “They have come through GB boxing so it’s good to have a guideline for what you can achieve later on in your pro career.
“I have only sparred a bit of technique with Anthony lately.
“I notice more from him the closer he gets to a fight. He’s a bit more aggressive then, he lets the shots go, but I guess it’s the same for all of us.
“We’re always at different stages of training — but before the Olympics I was getting ready for that and he was getting ready for a fight, so it was good.
“Sometimes I’m in a period where I’m not 100 per cent and he is, and sometimes I’m 100 per cent and he’s taking it a bit easier.”
Joyce is enjoying life as an Olympic medallist, although he knows it could so easily have been a gold he brought home from Brazil this summer rather than silver.
Boxing fans were stunned when he lost a split decision to Tony Yoka of France.
Joyce said: “I would have been more happy if he’d beaten me convincingly. Then I’d have gone home happy with a silver medal.
“But because it was so close, so controversial, it leaves you thinking ‘what if ?’.”
His achievements in Rio mean he is a much more recognisable figure now and, when you see him these days, there’s a very good chance he’ll have his medal on him.
Joyce added: “Normally, it was only boxing fans or people who have boxed who knew who I was.
“Now, it’s more the general public, people who watched the Olympics, saw my fights, saw the final. “They tell me robbed.’
“I’m enjoying that side of it. It’s nice taking selfies with people and showing them my medal if I have it with me.
“I forgot to take it to Ascot and they did a parade — since then I have been taking it everywhere.” ‘ You were