Joyce would roll through him and AJ knows it AJ bragging that he "beat" him in sparring shows it all. Joyce would even outbox him early from range. Easy work. Joyce is the 2nd best HW on the planet EASILY. Then comes Wilder. Usyk will retire next year after Fury shows him how real heavies roll. AJ is just a bum dosser who does what his promoter tells him to do. Fighting Usyk had no benefit to him. Eddie Hearn groomed Usyk thinking he could feed him to his golden goose but that goose has been fried.
Pretty much this, he probably sees Joyce as a backwards step, he's looking at Fury, Wilder and at worst a rematch with Whyte who's a more proven draw than Joyce at this point, though I think Brit fans will eventually warm to Joyce and make him a bigger draw but that will take time.
Nope Eddie wanted Usyk years ago but the little fatman bowled AJ over. Eddie not that smart. The sporting bodies can make anyone mandatory at any time and revoke belts at any time...all a case of where the money is and what they want. Corrupt ass sport.
Rather than start a new thread I'll ask this here: how long do we think Joyce has left at his level? People still seem to talk about him in similar terms to a prospect but he's 37 now. His style is a good one as far as longevity goes but surely he has to get big fights in the next year or two, or become a could-have-been?
Long enough to get his title shot. He is a young 37 and just come into prime. Both Wilder & Joyce could fight till their 40 without issue I'd suspect. Usyk wants to retire next year. Fury would be wise to follow but can't do it mentally. AJ should have retired 10 years ago.
Joyce is the last fighter Joshua would fight. Joshua needs a confidence boost . He won't get that from facing granite chinned , incredible engine Joe who must be demoralising to fight.