Oleksandr Usyk message before first Anthony Joshua win confirmed by Joe Joyce
British heavyweight Joe Joyce has revealed a private conversation he had with Oleksandr Usyk before the Ukrainian won the heavyweight world title from Anthony Joshua
Joyce has called out Usyk several times since turning professional in 2017 and wants to fight him for the WBO world title after becoming the mandatory challenger. 'The Juggernaut' has an unbeaten heavyweight record of 15-0 and defended the WBO interim heavyweight belt with the knockout of Joseph Park in September.
Joyce won the WBO belt from Daniel Dubois in November 2020 and immediately turned his focus to challenging Usyk after the pair fought as amateurs. However, the Ukrainian arranged a world title shot against AJ, successfully winning and then defending the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight belts.
READ MORE: Joe Joyce interrupts Usyk's face-off as Fury calls for 'Royal Rumble' between trio
Joyce has now revealed a private conversation he had with Usyk before the Ukrainian announced he was fighting Joshua. Speaking to iD Boxing, Joyce said: "I have messaged him and DM’d him on Instagram, this was before the Joshua fight and our names were being lined up.
"And he was like ‘nah, patience, patience’ and then obviously he got the Joshua (fight) and beat him twice but that’s a fight I’d like to have."
Who would win in a fight between Joe Joyce and Oleksandr Usyk? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section
Joyce has been promised a world title shot against Tyson Fury if his planned unification bout against Usyk doesn't go ahead. However, Joyce has unfinished business with the Ukrainian heavyweight after losing on points when the pair met as amateurs in a World Series of Boxing bout.
Now in the professional ranks Joyce is convinced that he can 'get to' the heavyweight world champion over a longer contest.
Joyce told Sky Sports: "I think I would start to get to him. If I can keep the pressure up. He is a very skilful fighter, but at this level it's all going to be tough from here on in.
"This time I would be more prepared and have a proper training camp geared towards him. It's over 12 rounds with smaller gloves and I've come a long way since then. It was a long time ago.
"It takes 10 years to reach sporting excellence. I've surpassed that and I'm still learning, so it would be a great fight over 12 rounds."
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