Anthony Joshua vs Joe Joyce: Frank Warren makes bold prediction

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By Tom Ward

Published Mar 18, 2022

Frank Warren has made his prediction for a hypothetical matchup between Anthony Joshua and Joe Joyce.

Frank Warren has predicted Joe Joyce will knock out Anthony Joshua if the pair meet in the boxing ring.

Joshua, 32, teased a fight announcement is imminent a few weeks after replacing former trainer Rob McCracken with Angel Fernandez.

AJ's promoter Eddie Hearn is currently searching for an interim opponent as his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk remains uncertain following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Warren revealed that he reached out to Hearn to offer Joshua a fight with Joyce.

And the Hall of Fame promoter has backed 'The Juggernaut' in a hypothetical match-up between the two top heavyweights.

“What have you got to lose? I fancy Joe,” Warren told talkSPORT.

“For Joe, you look at the two fighters: Joe has got a tremendous chin, he’s got great stamina.

"They talk about what happened to him as an amateur, well they’re not amateurs anymore, they’re pros.

Boxing - WBC Silver and WBO International Heavyweight title fight - Joe Joyce v Carlos Takam - The SSE Arena, London, Britain - July 24, 2021 Joe Joyce celebrates winning the fight against Carlos Takam Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

“If you look at how they’ve got on since they’ve become pros, AJ has done brilliantly.

"He became world champion. He’s also been beaten twice and he’s been exposed, certainly in his last fight. Very exposed.

"And I fancy Joe can knock him over.

“We have made initial contact but I don’t think they’ll go with it. If they want it, they can have it."

Warren feels AJ's tentative approach to his last couple of fights would play right into the hands of Joyce.

The 70-year-old added: "I think Joe will knock him out, I really do.

"I think he's got a great chin, if he can take AJ's power, if he can take it, if he's still got it.

"Punchers have to commit themselves. When they have to commit themselves, they leave themselves exposed.

"And if you look at his last few fights, he's been a little bit wary.

"I just think Joe, the Juggernaut, he's got a big heart.

"He's tough, he's strong, and I think he can get to him and I think he will stop him."

Asked what's next for Joyce if it doesn't actually end up being Joshua, he replied: "He broke his wrist which is not an ideal injury for any boxer but he's broken his wrist.

"But he'll be out in May and we're working on a couple of opponents at the moment.

"And we'll finalise one I think within the next week or so."