Warren on Joe Joyce: ‘I Don’t Know How Usyk Can Beat Him’

Frank Warren is having a hard time seeing how the unified world heavyweight champion can cope with withering pressure from his star client, hard-hitting British contender Joe Joyce.

Warren, director of Queensberry Promotions, was a euphoric spectator Saturday night at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England, where Joyce knocked out former champion Joseph Parker in the 11th round. It was easily the biggest win of the 37-year-old’s career and it sent a stern message to the rest of the heavyweight class. It was the first time Parker had been arrested.

Warren is so confident in Joyce’s ability that he prefers his client over current unified WBO, WBA and IBF champion Oleksandr Usyk, who is coming off back-to-back decisions over former champion Anthony Joshua. The southpaw Usyk is known for his dexterity and agile footwork, while Joyce is known for his power, chin and relentlessness.

The two also fought in the ring as amateurs, in 2013, in the World Series of Boxing. Usyk outplayed Joyce then.

“You don’t want to fight him,” Warren said of Joyce in an interview with iFL TV. “If I were Usyk, would I want to fight him? Who would you support? I think Usyk, I know they have a history in the fans, but that was in the fans. Look at the size of him (Joyce).

“I don’t know how Usyk can beat him to be honest. He will try to get over it but I think he will just wear him down, he is such a big man. And he doesn’t walk away from you. I think he gives Usyk many, many problems.”

“He has the most apt nickname in the sport, which is ‘The Juggernaut,’ which is exactly what he is, because he’s relentless,” added Warren, who also promotes heavyweight contender Daniel Dubois. “BT (network) and Queensberry is the home of heavyweight boxing. It’s where everything is.”

Warren said he expects Joyce (15-0, 14 KOs) to be back in the ring in March, before he gets the call to challenge the WBO champion, which could very well be Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs).

“He’s going to fight again in March and then, well, now he’s in the fight,” Warren said. “He is the interim champion, so the mandatory of him (WBO) of him is due. They will have to fight him.