Joe Joyce Faces Retirement Calls After Latest Knockout Loss

In a shocking turn of events, Joe Joyce was halted by Artem Suslenkov in Moscow, marking his fifth loss in his last six bouts. This latest setback has led to increasing calls for the heavyweight to consider retirement, especially after a promising start to his career that included a knockout victory over Joseph Parker in 2022.

Fellow British heavyweight and former sparring partner Dave Allen expressed his dismay at Joyce's decline, stating, "It was sad really" to see Joyce struggle against Suslenkov. Allen reminisced about their intense sparring sessions, highlighting Joyce's potential, saying, "At one point, Joe could have been the best heavyweight in the world." However, he noted that Joyce's recent performances have not lived up to that promise.

Joyce's career trajectory has taken a downturn since losing his WBO Interim title to Zhilei Zhang in back-to-back knockout defeats. His subsequent fights against Derek Chisora and Filip Hrgovic also ended in losses, raising concerns about his future in the sport. Allen pointed out that Joyce's recent weight issues, weighing over 20 stone, have contributed to his struggles in the ring.

As Joyce contemplates his next move, the boxing community is left wondering if he will prioritize his health and step away from the sport. The overwhelming sentiment among fans and fighters alike is that it may be time for the 40-year-old to hang up his gloves for good.