Artem Suslenkov vs Joe Joyce

This is a dangerous fight for Joe Joyce. A few years back, Joyce was the bloke nobody fancied standing in front of: big engine, granite chin, heavy hands, and pressure like a tax bill. But boxing is a cruel old game. Once that chin gets cracked and the reflexes slow, the whole business changes.

Artem Suslenkov is unbeaten, younger, fresher, and fighting at home in Moscow. He’s not some wild banger swinging from the car park. He’s solid, compact, and he’s coming off decent wins, including Artur Mann and Agron Smakici. This is his chance to put a proper name on the record.

The tale of the tape is simple. Joyce is the bigger, more proven man, with that long, thudding jab and a reach like a hungry spider. But can he still pull the trigger? Can he still take clean right hands without the legs going funny? That’s the question.

Suslenkov’s edge is freshness and timing. If he beats Joyce to the punch and keeps turning him, he can make Joe look old. Joyce’s advantage is experience and physical strength. If he gets close and makes it ugly, Suslenkov will know he’s in a proper heavyweight straightener.

I don’t see Joyce folding early, but I do see him getting slower, marked up, and outworked.

Prediction: Artem Suslenkov wins by unanimous decision.