Joshua sparred Joyce as an amateur (Picture: Getty)

Joe Joyce claims he has figured out how to beat Anthony Joshua after hundreds of rounds of sparring with the three-belt world champion.

Joshua is undefeated and holds the WBA (Super), WBO and IBF heavyweight titles. The British fighter is on the hunt for a new opponent for his debut at Madison Square Garden and Joyce was one of a host of men who three their hat into the ring for the June fight.

Eddie Hearn dismissed Joyce’s offer, but the 33-year-old, who recently signed with Frank Warren, insists it was a genuine offer.

‘There’s Tyson Fury who is the lineal champion, Deontay Wilder who has the WBC and then Anthony Joshua who has the other three belts,’ he said.


Joshua is unbeaten in his pro career (Picture: Getty)

‘I think Joshua is more rounded than the others – Wilder has the power while Fury has the boxing ability and the elusiveness.



‘But Joshua has the more robotic, more stand-up, formulaic style. He’s got a more straight-forward style and that might be the easiest to beat.

‘I would’ve happily jumped in to fight him on June 1. There are three belts on the line and a decent purse. It’s what I’m in boxing for – to get those opportunities and to fight the very best.

‘We had a decent relationship when we trained together. I think he’s a cool guy and I have respect for him but it’s a sport and he has what I want.’

And with many boxing fans questioning how he would fare against Joshua, Joyce explained he already has a game plan to stop AJ.

‘It’s a 50/50 fight between me and Joshua and it’s going to happen sooner or later,’ he insisted.

‘I’ve taken a lot of confidence from our spars. We’re talking in the hundreds of rounds that we did on GB, maybe more.

Joyce signed a promotional deal with Warren this week (Picture: Getty)

‘I’ve learned more since then and I’m sure he has as well so it would be a great fight at some stage.

‘I’ve probably done more rounds with him than anyone in the world other than Frazer Clarke. It would be hard for him to come up with any surprises, I know his strengths and weaknesses.

‘I know what I’d have to do – I know how to beat him.It’s something I’ve thought about a lot. I think it’s always there in the back of my mind.

‘It was always quite competitive between us on the GB set up. He qualified first and got on the squad first so I felt like I was always playing catch up with him then and I am now again we are pros.’