Joe Joyce fell short in his latest fight against Filip Hrgovic, a fight many saw as his one chance to salvage his career.
Joe Joyce has won just one of his last five fights. Joyce defeated Kash Ali, who is famous for biting David Price, and has lost to Zhilei Zhang, Derek Chisora, and now Filip Hrgovic.
Despite his losses, ‘The Juggernaut’ has vowed to fight on, and hopes to continue to entertain fans, even as his career follows a downward trajectory.
Once a feared contender in the heavyweight scene, it seems Joyce’s best days are well and truly behind him, though his career has had some impressive moments.
Joe Joyce destroyed the one man to survive Deontay Wilder
In 2015 Bermane Stiverne broke Deontay Wilder’s 32-fight KO streak, becoming the first man to go the distance with ‘The Bronze Bomber’. Wilder won by unanimous decision, and picked up the WBC heavyweight title.
Wilder would obliterate Stiverne in their rematch, forcing a first-round stoppage.
Stiverne’s very next fight following his decimation at the hands of Wilder, who was dragged into deep waters by Luis Ortiz, would come against 7-0 Joyce.
According to BoxRec, Stiverne came in 15 pounds heavier than his previous career high, and was visibly out of shape as he faced the Brit.
Joyce stopped Stiverne in six. He needed no rematch.
Having lost to Wilder and then Joyce, Stiverne’s career only got worse, losing to Trevor Bryan and Jonathon Guidry before calling it a day.
Joe Joyce holds wins over two of today’s top heavyweights
Joyce’s career has had a huge fall from grace in recent years, which began after his voluntary defense of the WBO interim heavyweight title against Zhang.
The Brit had won the interim title with an eleventh-round stoppage win over Joseph Parker, who is widely considered to be on of the best heavyweights in the division after his performances against Zhang, Wilder, and Bakole.
Joyce also beat Daniel Dubois years prior, when the pair fought in 2020 for the British and European titles.
Joyce fractured the eye socket of Dubois, leaving him unable to continue. Dubois was criticized for quitting, but has proved his doubters wrong with his recent run of form.