Joe Joyce reflects on Rio 2016
In what was a successful Olympic games for Team GB boxing, one fighter who has impressed boxing fans is super-heavyweight Joe Joyce.
Coming into the Olympics, he was the fighter British fans were talking about and had the strongest chance of winning gold.
Unfortunately, Joyce just fell short, losing to France’s Tony Yoka in the super-heavyweight final, but, left Rio with a silver.
Speaking to World Boxing News, Joyce was proud of his performance in Rio despite losing in the final.
I thought the first fight I had was pretty straightforward, but I felt like I fought well right up to the end. The final was obviously disappointing as I felt I did enough to get the decision.
I felt comfortable in there and possibly that I won every round against Yoka but it wasn’t to be. I beat him in the European’s and wasn’t feeling well for the world’s but this time he got the decision.
Joyce also revealed that he was frustrated with the way his opponent acted during the final and felt that he dominated the fight throughout.
Yoka was pulling his tongue out and doing the Ali shuffle as if he’d won throughout. I congratulated him on getting married though and have to move on. I’d obviously rather our national anthem was playing on the podium but I’d calmed down by then.
I’m not sure what happened with the judges as I felt I dictated the pace in every round.
When asked about whether he would become a professional, Joyce said there are a number of paths he could pursue in the next part of his boxing career.
I received lots of message of support and my phone went crazy when I first switched it on. I still have a contract with GB Boxing until May but whatever I decided I think I’ll be allowed to go in the direction I choose.
I’ll just give it a few weeks first and see where I go from there.