Rio 2016: Joe Joyce seals place in Olympic super-heavyweight final
Joyce follows in the footsteps of Audley Harrison and Anthony Joshua, who was ringside, in becoming a super-heavyweight finalist
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Your support makes all the difference.Capoeira they call it, a form of Brazilian street dance beloved of Rio’s northern suburbs. Joe Joyce’s mum introduced him to it in south London, and here, in celebration of his passage to tomorrow’s super heavyweight final he unleashed his version after the verdict was handed down.
With a couple of back flips and a handstand he entered the hearts of the Rio heartlands, a 6ft 5ins, 19 stone model of balletic intent. And to think his French opponent in the gold medal match, Tony Yoka, dismissed him as a robot.
The pair have fought before. The score stands at one apiece, but there is a sense that Joyce is acting out a the narrative of a story foretold. History invites him to continue along the golden super heavyweight path laid by fellow Londoner’s Audely Harrison 16 years ago in Sydney and Anthony Joshua in London.
Joshua, who has sparred countless rounds with Joyce, was in the audience here and as if the omens were not aligned enough, beat the same Kazakh opponent, Ivan Dychko, in the semi-finals four years ago. “I could see him from my corner,” Joyce said. “It’s good to have his support.”
The Frenchman who stands before him has already begun hostilities. Joyce laughed when told of Yoka’s view that the Briton is scared as well as robotic. “What? Did he really say that. He’s trying to get me angry. Yoka said I was a beast but not a smart boxer in an article in Boxing News recently. I will just have to show him what smart is.”
Joyce appeared composed and confident as he made his way to the ring, raising both arms on entry. Dychko was all business, jogging to the ring behind a series of one-twos.
The Kazakh’s movement for a bloke standing 6ft 6ins was impressive and quickly presented a problem for Joyce. Big Joe was sent out to cut the ring down, to keep on top of his opponent. This he did faithfully, though it was clear if he were to advance he would have to land more often and heavily.
To his credit, Joyce came out swinging in the second, fighting at an impressive intensity that discomfited his more experienced opponent. Wave after wave of attacks bounced off the bald pate of Dychko, who countered skilfully despite showing signs of fatigue.
The pattern continued in the third, triggering the daddy of all celebrations that must have left coach Lee Pullen in need of sedatives.
This boxing arena is not exempt from the ticketing fiasco but with a low roof and a surfeit of adrenalin in the house it did not feel absence as heavily as other stadia. The acoustics are right up there with an Ibiza party venue and when the music pumps, well, it gets primal in here.
And none is more in the mood for dancing than Joyce.
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