Joe Joyce To Return In Russia

Despite being 40 years old and having lost four of his last five fights, popular British heavyweight Joe Joyce will fight on later this Summer in Moscow, Russia against an up and coming opponent.

Queensberry Promotions announced Monday that Joyce will battle 30-year-old Russian heavyweight Andrey Suslenkov on the undercard of the WBA "regular" heavyweight title fight with Murat Gassiev defending his ht title against French contender Tony Yoka.

As for Joyce, the former Silver Medallist for England at the 2016 Olympic Games, he rose to prominence early in this decade and has compiled a professional record of 16-4, 15 KOs. His biggest victory came in November 2020, when he upset fellow unbeaten Daniel Dubois by KO and fractured his eye orbital bone.

Joyce then became the interim WBO world champ beating Joseph Parker by 11th round stoppage in September of 2022. However, as he stepped up further in competition, he suffered two brutal KO losses to China's Zhilei Zhang in 2023.

After a victory over a non-descript opponent in 2024, he was beaten in a wild slugfest by fellow Brit Derek Chisora on a 10 round decision in July 2024 and then, Croatian contender Filip Hrgovic decisioned him in April of 2025.

Now, after another year, he wants to return with Suslenkov.

"I've spent the last year preparing, training and working towards getting back into the ring," said Joyce in the media release. "I'd like to thank IBA Pro (Russian promotion) for this opportunity. My team and I are fully focused, and Moscow should be ready for a big performance."

Suslenkov is 14-0, 9 KOs, and was last in action in April, stopping Kazakh-German boxer Artur Mann in the third round. Suslenkov is looking to add a bigger name to his resume' with a win.

"Joyce is a powerful opponent with excellent technique and vast experience,"  Suslenkov said Monday.

"This is a serious challenge, and I'm approaching it with both excitement and complete focus. Thorough preparation and the right tactics to neutralise his strengths will be crucial.

"It's also an opportunity to demonstrate my level and give the fans something to celebrate."

The headlining fight that night sees Gassiev, 34-0, will defend his secondary version of the WBA heavyweight title against the former Olympic Gold Medalist, but largely underachieving pro Yoka in Moscow.

Gassiev is looking to maintain his status as the mandatory challenger to unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Under WBA policies, their "regular champion" is recognized as the leading contender for the full title. Usyk's next mandatory obligation is for the WBC title against the Kurdish-German, Agit Kabayel. That fight will possibly be late this year.

Importantly, should Usyk vacate the WBA full championship, Gassiev could either be elevated to full world champion status or be ordered to compete for the vacant title and perhaps, against the Joyce-Suslenov winner.