Joe Joyce eyes new return aged 40 as he opens up on worrying stoppage defeat

Joe Joyce is adamant he has a future in boxing despite suffering five defeats in his last six fights.

‘The Juggernaut’ was beaten by Artem Suslenkov in a penultimate round stoppage defeat last month.

IBA

Joyce continued to look a shadow of his former self, and much like for previous fights, he has now faced widespread call to retire.

The Briton is now the furthest he has ever been away from the world title mix, and would face a long and arduous battle to claw his way back.

But despite his recent form, Joyce has told talkSPORT.com he still intends to return.

The 40-year-old wants to fight again and has declared himself a promotional free agent.

He said: “No I’m not retiring. I will keep moving forward and having some exciting nights in boxing.

“There’s plenty of opportunities. I’d be open to having a conversation with Zuffa Boxing and Dana White.

“I’m open to having a conversation with everyone to see what is out there.

“I’m excited to get back in the ring, I had a tough test in Moscow but it was difficult to get a fight in the UK.

“I still want to fight someone exciting.”

It is unclear what options Joyce is perceived to have next, having already fought so many of his British rivals.

An exciting professional rematch with amateur rival Tony Yoka could be on the cards, but the Frenchman is hoping to push on to world level.

Johnny Fisher could also be an option if the Briton is to join White’s Zuffa roster, given the Essex native has now signed with the newly launched label.

Joyce: ‘I don’t really remember the stoppage’

Despite potentially having options, there will justifiably be concerns about Joyce re-entering the ring.

Which have been particularly fuelled by the fact that Joyce has admitted he has limited recollection of his stoppage defeat in Russia.

He continued: “You when you go out and you can’t remember the night before?

’ I felt like I was winning the fight, and then I watched it back, and I was like, ‘Whoa.’

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“I think what might have happened, I might have taken a big shot. I couldn’t really see it or whatever.”

Despite the concerns, it appears he will come back despite the wishes of many leading figures within the British boxing public.