The super heavyweight final of the Rio 2016 Olympics stirred some controversy due to a judges’ decision that not everyone found fair. Almost ten years later, we may witness an unexpected rematch between the two boxers who clashed on that occasion. Apparently, the renowned British promoter Frank Warren wants to organize Joe Joyce vs Tony Yoka.
At the time of their professional debuts, some expected the two heavyweights to meet again for a world title, but today a matchup between them would have much lower stakes. Both fighters have seen their ambitions diminished by various setbacks that distanced them from the top of the division.
Joe Joyce enjoyed significant progress in the world rankings during the first part of his professional career, but two crushing defeats at the hands of Zhilei Zhang halted his momentum, marking the beginning of his decline. Joyce’s weak defense proved fatal against the powerful punches of the Chinese heavyweight.
The subsequent all-British derby with veteran Derek Chisora (click here to read the report) was expected by many to mark Joyce’s comeback, but he adopted an incomprehensible tactical strategy and was surprisingly defeated on points after a fierce battle.
Tony Yoka, on his part, performed well in his first eleven professional fights, but when he faced higher-level opponents, he fell short. First, there was the devastating loss to the powerful Martin Bakole, who knocked him down twice and won on the scorecards. Then came two surprising defeats, both by decision, against Carlos Takam and Ryad Merhy.
Yoka has only recently emerged from a series of defeats with two easy knockout victories in the UK against journeyman boxers. Now, Yoka, who is still 32 and has time to resurrect his career, hopes to piece things back together by taking on his old rival Joyce. Signing with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions is the first step in this direction.
The veteran English promoter revealed his intentions to Boxing News, stating:
“Joe wants to fight back so we will give him a go, I owe him that,” Warren told Boxing News. “The next fight will be a defining moment for him.
“The fight against Chisora was very close, the fact of the matter is that the knockdown decided it on the cards. I thought Joyce was going to win but Chisora proved me wrong. Both of them showed tremendous grit.
“I feel it’s something we owe Joe and it’s up to Joe to prove he’s still got a future where he can challenge for a world title and try to win it.
“We’ve just signed Tony Yoka so there’s a fight there that will be made in the future.”