Tuesday 8 May 2018 15:25, UK
Joe Joyce has vowed to continue his “fast-track” through the heavyweight division after impressively winning the Commonwealth title.
The Olympic silver medallist broke a 106-year record by claiming that belt in just his fourth pro fight last Saturday.
"I will definitely be fast-tracked. I have started as I mean to go on," Joyce told Sky Sports.
His coach was letting him know that I don't get tired. Of course, he was right.
"I started with a 10-round main event, got the Commonwealth title in my fourth fight so I plan to go on with that trajectory."
"There is plenty more to come. I did what was necessary."
Joyce floored champion Lenroy Thomas three times in a two-round demolition to win the title but insists he possesses skills that have not yet been demonstrated.
He said: "I heard his corner-man shout: 'He's not going to get tired!'
"[Thomas] was waiting until I gassed myself out to throw another shot. His coach was letting him know that I don't get tired. Of course, he was right.
"There is plenty more to come. I did what was necessary.
"There are some techniques which I should have used, in hindsight. There is plenty to work on because I'm not the finished piece.
"There are techniques, combinations and tactics that I didn't use, which I could have used.
"It went as planned. I thought I would catch him early, and that's what I went for. He was a durable guy, credit to him.
"He hit me with a couple of shots but I thought it was a dominant performance.
"I looked wilder, not as technical, rough and ready.
"It was a left uppercut to the body which caught him on the rib. Then a right hook, he went into the corner, then I finished him off with a short-range left hook."
Joyce's celebrations were cut short when his mentor, David Haye, lost to Tony Bellew shortly afterwards.
"I was on a high, but it was a hard fight to watch. I was massively disappointed, lost for words," he said.
"David has been there, and done it. He's very supportive of me becoming the heavyweight champion of the world."
Joyce's next fight is expected to be a defence of his Commonwealth title but he also wants to add the British belt, which will be contested this weekend between Hughie Fury and Sam Sexton.
However, Fury's father and trainer Peter Fury insists they do not want to fight Joyce.
"Joyce is a very good talent," Fury told Sky Sports. "We rate him but it's not a fight we're interested in.
"Hughie is six years as a professional, and has climbed the ladder the hard way. Joyce will have to do the same.
"We're looking beyond Joyce. We're looking at getting Hughie into world contention."
