Joe Joyce believes he’ll battle Oleksandr Usyk for the WBO, IBF and WBA titles in 2024.
He has boxed Usyk earlier than, in a five-round World Collection of Boxing bout after they have been amateurs, however expects to problem him for the unified heavyweight championship subsequent 12 months.
Tyson Fury has exhibited little curiosity in revisiting the negotiations for an undisputed title battle and Usyk’s subsequent necessary challenger must be Filip Hrgovic.
That subsequently provides Joyce time. If he can beat Zhilei Zhang of their rematch later this month, he’ll win again the WBO Interim strap and extra considerably place himself because the necessary challenger for the WBO championship Usyk holds.
“That is the plan. It is difficult. You by no means know what is going on to occur,” Joyce informed Sky Sports activities. “I am going to get there in the long run. I am assured.”
For that plan, beating Zhang on September 23 will probably be very important.
“It places me again within the combine by way of the mandatories. The WBO will get referred to as after the IBF which is up subsequent. So I can get my shot in,” Joyce mentioned.
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“I am coming to take again what’s mine and take again that WBO Interim so then I can stick with it my journey and grow to be heavyweight champion of the world.”
Zhang shocked Joyce when he handed the Londoner a primary skilled defeat in April, and Joyce will want a special method if he’s to prevail within the rematch.
“For those who have a look at my earlier fights, every battle I alter a bit bit relying on the opponent. I perhaps underestimated Zhang a bit bit, thought I might get him out of there within the later rounds,” Joyce defined.
“Clearly he was very quick and correct with the left [back] hand and the counter pictures. However this time it should be completely different as a result of I am extra motivated and switched on than ever.”
Joyce is adamant that he will probably be completely different within the rematch
Zhang inflicted a watch harm on Joyce that in the end stopped him of their sixth spherical. However the Briton does take encouragement from a few of his work in that first battle.
“I used to be nonetheless in there and I used to be fairly profitable with the quantity of pictures I threw and landed and if it wasn’t for the attention I feel he was beginning to tire mid-to-late rounds,” Joyce mentioned.
“He additionally is aware of that so he is been coaching arduous as effectively. However I feel I will get it this time.”