Joe Joyce Next Fight: What We Know

The Zhang fallout

For now, at least, Joyce can forget about his dreams of fighting Fury or Usyk. 

With those two set to face each other to crown an undisputed heavyweight champion in early 2024, more deserving candidates will face the winner, not least ‘Big Bang’ Zhang, after he knocked out Joyce within six rounds in both fights. 

Even the likes of Zhang, Anthony Joshua or Deontay Wilder may have to wait for Fury and Usyk to have a rematch, should both parties agree to one. 

Clearly, Joyce’s defeats have led to him tumbling down the heavyweight pecking order. At 38 years old, it will be difficult for him to return to where he was.  

“It’s just disappointing because I got myself into the position I was, and it was obviously a risk too far,” Joyce admitted after his second defeat to Zhang in September. “I paid the price.” 

However, Joyce is a tough cookie and vows this is not the end for him despite his advancing years. “This is not it for me,” Joyce continued. “I’ve got plenty more in the tank. I’m just going to have to take some time off, reflect, watch the fight back, and come back new and improved.” 

But who may Joyce have within his sights? 

Assessing Joyce’s options

Given Joyce’s struggles against Zhang, ‘Juggernaut’ is unlikely to fancy fighting another southpaw in the form of Luis Ortiz, who will also be looking to rebuild himself after losing to Andy Ruiz Jr in September 2022. 

“I’m not used to fighting southpaws,” Joyce admitted after losing to Zhang. “I hadn’t fought a southpaw in a long time.” 

Thankfully for the British fighter, there aren’t too many other left-handers knocking around at the elite level of heavyweight boxing. 

Having taken a risk to fight Zhang – who Joyce later suggested is “avoided for a reason” – twice, it would seem careless to take on Filip Hrgovic, who defeated Zhang in August 2022.  

Another British fighter who will be desperate to muscle his way back among the leading pack is Dillian Whyte, whose scheduled rematch against Joshua in August was cancelled after Whyte produced an ‘adverse’ drug test. 

‘Juggernaut’ against ‘The Body Snatcher’ would undoubtedly be a bruising contest and one we would be here for, especially if there was a shot at Joshua on the line for the winner. 

Potential rematch for Joyce?

Of course, Joyce could choose to fight a different British fighter he had beaten before, Daniel Dubois. 

“Possibly,” Joyce answered when asked about the prospect of facing Dubois again following his second defeat to Zhang. “That would be an interesting fight. He’s got a new coach and seems to be improving. If the people want to see it, that could be a possibility.” 

As a result, Joyce knocked out Dubois in the 10th round in November 2020, winning the British, Commonwealth, WBC Silver, WBO International, and European heavyweight titles. 

Dubois bounced back with four successive victories before being stopped in the ninth round by Usyk in August, so there would be plenty of incentive for the two fighters to square up again. 

Alternatively, could Joyce face Joseph Parker for a second time? 

Not even Joshua, Ruiz Jr or Whyte knocked Parker out like Joyce did in the 11th round in September 2022. It was undoubtedly the stand-out performance of Joyce’s career so far, earning him the WBO interim title in the process. 

The Kiwi seems to have rebuilt some confidence with three consecutive wins since that defeat, but would he want to face Joyce again after the former WBO champion suffered the only knockout of his career to ‘Juggernaut’? 

Likewise, would Joyce have much to gain from fighting Parker again? At this stage, he surely needs to adopt a low-risk strategy, and that doesn’t look like the answer. 

Joe Joyce Next Fight Betting Odds

With Joyce’s next fight not even close to being announced yet, no betting markets or boxing odds are currently available on this. 

However, once Joyce’s next opponent is confirmed, Parimatch will be one of the leading bookmakers to bet on the fight with. The boxing section is extensive, with a vast choice of markets for any big bout. 

In the meantime, you can bet on plenty of upcoming boxing matches with Parimatch, including Fury’s odds and Usyk’s potential showdown odds in early 2024.