Joyce earns golden shot as fitness tells

Joe Joyce fights for gold at superheavyweight tomorrow after winning his semi-final against Kazakhstan’s Ivan Dychko at Rio Centro.

Joyce poured on the punishment in the last two rounds to come from behind on the judges’ cards and claim victory by a unanimous decision.

He has the chance to avenge his controversial World Championship semi-final loss to Frenchman Tony Yoka, who came through the other semi-final via a split decision.

Watched by reigning +91kg champion and former team-mate Anthony Joshua at ringside, Joyce made a slow start and was picked off by the more accurate Dychko in the first.

The Londoner continued pushing after his opponent in the second, enjoying more success, but still leaving himself worryingly open to accurate counters.

As the round progressed, he began to land much cleaner and heavier blows.

Dychko, blowing heavily, began to appear increasingly vulnerable.

The judges agreed, making the last round effectively a decider, and Joyce pushed forward hurling big right uppercuts as the Kazakh attempted vainly to cling on.

Joyce’s fitness was really beginning to tell. He bounced in to deliver further punishment.

In sharp contrast Dychko’s work was increasingly laboured.

A left hand swatted the Kazakh’s chin as Joyce finished things off in dominant style.

He earned the verdict on all three cards.

Britain’s defending champion Nicola Adams will face Sarah Ouhramoune in the women’s flyweight final today.