Joe Joyce has been largely written off following his brutal stoppage defeat to Zhilei Zhang, but do people now underrate him? He has a very impressive stoppage win over Parker, good wins over Jennings, Takam and Dubois as well. I think he’s still arguably a top 10 heavy and would beat a lot of the current crop of contenders. I think Zhang was just a terrible style match up for him and he would have far more success against guys like Sanchez and Hrgovic. Is he underrated now?
I was a big fan but in the second fight he showed absolutely no ability to adapt. He's a fine athlete but a very limited boxer.
Iff he's physically and mentally unharmed yea he still causes issues for a lot of other top heavies, but it's a big if. The other thing is he looked so uncomfortable/vulnerable/**** vs Zhang's southpaw stance that if I was a heavyweight contender and I was due to fight Joyce, I'd probably train southpaw because it's hard to imagine me being as **** at being a southpaw as Joyce is at dealing with one.
At this point, yes. He has a weakness, southpaws. Many fighters do. That much was obvious against Usyk, sadly he still does, but in with a massive KO artist southpaw. I don't doubt he'll steamroll his next opponent with ease, barring it being AJ, Usyk or Wilder. Hell, put him in with Hrgovic. He'll beat his ass again like he did in the WSB.
Joyce was massively overrated at the point he met Zhang. He'd built up a decent resume at that point but the warning signs had been present - he's just too slow and too limited defensively to be a real top fighter... His chin is/was excellent, but just walking chin first into whatever your opponent feels like throwing is not compatible with fighting the kind of guys you need to beat to pick up belts. Before Zhang, there were plenty picking Joyce against absolutely everyone in the division - ridiculous as that looks now, that's how hyped he was getting to be. Now he's rated more realistically - as a dangerous fringe contender with flaws, but also with the ability to cause problems.
Well put, I think he could very well beat Hrgovic who I think, while durable, is limited. I think Usyk dominates him and Wilder KOs him with 1 shot.
Well put. Tend to agree with this take, he’s a solid contender but he’s not going to break into the top 5 imo.
Hrgovic I could go either way, it'd be an interesting fight. Usyk, Fury or even AJ would dominate Joyce - Wilder would look horrible for a few rounds under Joyce's jab, but if his questionable chin held up he'd definitely find Joyce's and that would probably be that.
If he wasn't cracked open by the back to back lossess, he still has plenty for a lot of the division.
Yes he is. He still beats a lot of people in the top 10, but like you said, Zhang was a terrible matchup for him. Possibly the worst matchup for him in the division. If the chin is still there he'll climb up the ladder again. Apparently he's fighting in March and after that he wants the winner of Dubois-Miller. That's very winnable and a quick way to get back in the mix.
I think the problem for most people is the first time he came up against a proven hitter he got wiped out. People will say DD can hit but I dont think he punches as hard as Zhang. The 2nd KO is brutal. He's slow and eats punches. If his chin has gone then its game over for him. He's getting up there in years as well so I think its likely his time is done unless he can get matched well against guys with low stamina or can't punch etc. Shame comes across as a sound fella.
After the fans were comparing him to the next coming of George Foreman and having him a favourite over the likes of a prime Mike Tyson. I don't really think you can associate underrated with Joe Joyce.