Joe Joyce ‘insulted’ by bookmakers’ underdog status ahead of Daniel Dubois bout

The countdown to Joe Joyce vs Daniel Dubois is finally on. It’s just a matter of days until the much-anticipated all-British heavyweight bout, and after much speculation surrounding the venue, promoter Frank Warren revealed that the fight will take place at the iconic Church House in Westminster.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic the bout has been postponed on several occasions already this year. However, come this Saturday night, those with BT Sport subscriptions will be treated to the blockbuster encounter.

Both London-born fighters boast unbeaten records, with Dubois winning all of his 15 professional bouts (14 via TKO/KO), whilst Joyce has won all of his 11 fights to date (10 via TKO/KO). However, it is the former who is the favourite in the Joyce vs Dubois odds.

The Juggernaut Joyce, who at 35 years old has over 12 years’ experience on Dubois, is an outsider to win the bout at 3/1, whilst Triple D is the heavy odds-on favourite at 2/9. But, speaking to The Queensberry Lowdown last week, Joyce revealed that he is rather ‘insulted’ by the bookies making him the underdog.

“To be honest, I feel a bit insulted,” the 35-year-old said. “It’s like I’m the underdog.

“…people who bet on me will have a nicer Christmas.”

Joyce may have only turned professional in his 30s, but his lengthy amateur career is pretty impressive. He won 40 of his 47 amateur fights, and boasts a silver medal from the Rio Olympics in 2016, along with gold medals from the European and Commonwealth Games, as well as bronze medals at the World and European Championships.

And, since turning pro, he has dispatched of most of his opponents in emphatic fashion, with eight of his bouts not even making it past the halfway mark, whilst only American Bryant Jennings has taken him the distance.

Unlike Dubois, who has only fought within England, Joyce has also tested himself stateside, beating Iago Kiladze at California’s Citizens Business Bank Arena, before a first-round knockout against Joe Hanks on the undercard of Deontay Wilder’s first bout against Tyson Fury at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.

And Joyce thinks that this can give him the edge come Saturday’s fight night.

“I’ve performed at a higher level, so that psychologically gives me an edge,” said the Londoner. “We’ll see on the night if it’s going to be the young, hungry pup or the more seasoned veteran.”

Despite a third-round knockout win against German Michael Wallisch earlier this year, which came just a fortnight after his victory over Jennings, Joyce received criticism for his physique. However, in the build-up to this bout, the 35-year-old has gotten into incredible shape, shedding several pounds and bulking up in muscle mass.

It’s undoubtedly going to be the toughest task that both fighters have faced in their professional careers thus far, and whilst Dubois, who has been likened to Anthony Joshua and Iron Mike Tyson already, is heavily fancied for a victory, it would be foolish to rule Joyce out that easily.

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