David Haye 'not doing two things anymore' will help me, Joe Joyce says
Thursday 14 June 2018 14:21, UK
Joe Joyce expects to benefit from his promoter David Haye's recent retirement from the ring.
Olympic silver medal winner Joyce has gone 4-0 with the Hayemaker Ringstar promotional team and defends his Commonwealth heavyweight title on Friday against Ivica Bacurin.
His desire to become a world champion will be accelerated by Haye's new focus as a promoter, after confirming the end to his in-ring career, Joyce believes.
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As David says I'm a force to be reckoned with, and I will make waves in the heavyweight division.
"He's not doing two things anymore. He will be solely focused on me, and his other signings, to bring out our best," Joyce told Sky Sports News.
"As David says I'm a force to be reckoned with, and I will make waves in the heavyweight division. He's going to carry on promoting me towards a world title.
"He's five years older than me so when I was in school we'd talk in the playground: 'David Haye is fighting'.
"He's had a really good career and should be proud of what he's achieved.
"I didn't start boxing until I was 22 but I watched him growing up.
"He was always David against Goliath, taking on the big guys. He is an icon in British boxing."
Joyce impressed by taking the Commonwealth belt from Lenroy Thomas in his fourth pro fight on the undercard to Haye's second defeat to Tony Bellew.
"It's York Hall where I've boxed a lot, so I'm in my comfort zone," he said about his first defence.
Joyce mentioned an interest in fighting Bryant Jennings afterwards.
Lewis Ritson against Paul Hyland Jr and Josh Kelly versus Kris George is on Sky Sports Action from 7pm on Saturday night.
