Joe Joyce: "I get the lightsabers out occasionally"

There isn't another boxer quite like Joe Joyce.

Since winning the silver medal at Rio 2016 – most thought he deserved gold – Joyce has torn through the professional ranks, grinding down 14 out of his 15 opponents through his relentless, come-forward approach and his heavy, heavy hands. (Bryant Jennings is the odd man out, in case you're wondering.) 

In 2023, a world title fight against either Oleksandr Usyk – who beat Joyce as an amateur in 2013 – or the mercurial Tyson Fury looks all but certain. You'd be a brace man to bet against the Juggernaut. 

Yet Joyce is also a unique personality outside of the ring. Softly spoken, with a love of martial arts, fine art and video games, the big man has never been much of a trash talker. This is a man with a hinterland beyond the gym and the boxing ring. 

Few people are keen painters and also own a lightsaber. Enjoy our interview with a true one-off.

On his love of the extreme

There's a one-wheel GT thing that I've just born – it's like a skateboard and also a snowboard. I've been going round all the roads and that. It goes quite fast! I think it goes 30mph. I don't push the boundaries – I know what I'm capable of and I don't step outside that. But the boundaries are quite wide! Jumping, diving off stuff. Boxing is like an extreme sport. I get a kick out of doing it.

On his martial arts background

Before boxing, I was doing martial arts – hands and feet – but I found it was easier with just the hands! Boxing's very simple, but in that simplicity there's very complex techniques and stuff. I got a buzz out of it: 'my two hands here, my feet here, that's a jab and when I move I've got to take my foot with me.' You're thinking of all that but then someone's throwing shots at you so you're like, 'what do I do here?' It's a lot to learn but as you become more experienced it becomes second nature.

On his rematching Oleksandr Usyk

Looking back at my WSB fight against Oleksandr Usyk in 2013, it makes me cringe. I'm like, 'what are you doing?' I need to go back and train myself! Or if I could time-travel with the same mentality that I have now then I'd probably beat him. I've learnt to deal with southpaws better. But I guess Usyk has improved as well. It would be a harder fight this time, a different fight. A great fight.

On his relationship with Usyk

I messaged Uysk a while before the Anthony Joshua fight, saying 'let's go! Let's fight!' He was like, 'patience.' Then he beat Joshua and won all the belts. [Was that specifically to wind him up or do you just message him?] No, I just messaged him. [Almost like a friendly relationship?] Yeah. I DM Joseph Parker, too – he's friendly enough. He's cool.

On filming with lexicographer Susie Dent

I like Susie Dent, she was cool. I wouldn't mind being in some films post-boxing. It was good fun! One thing I need to do is practice my lines a bit more. You do so many takes that I can kinda get away with winging it! But it was a good experience, I enjoyed it! I think it's helped, too – my interviews have improved since.

On his martial arts gear

My big sword's just for decoration. I've got some practice swords in the front room and I do a bit of sword play. I get the lightsabers out occasionally. I've got two sets of nunchucks as well! I'd like to have a dojo – I come from a martial arts background so you've got to have some swords, your nunchucks, the bo staff and that!