Joe Joyce returned to the ring with a win — but not without questions. After his crushing defeat to Zhilei Zhang, the Juggernaut was back in action against Kash Ali. On paper, this was a chance to reset. But while Joyce secured a late knockout, it wasn’t the emphatic statement many hoped for.
Back in Action — But Rusty
It had all the makings of a comeback story. Joyce, hungry to bounce back, came into the bout having trained hard and talked up his improvements. The atmosphere was electric — fans eager to see him return to form.
But from the first bell, something felt off. While Joyce looked physically strong, the sharpness just wasn’t there. He was walking forward, yes — but often square on, flat-footed, and lacking the kind of timing we associate with his best performances.
Ali, to his credit, didn’t roll over. He kept throwing back, landed his own shots, and disrupted Joyce’s rhythm. The rounds ticked by. The tension built. Joyce was winning, but not convincingly.
Knockout Saved the Night
Late in the fight, Joyce finally got the breakthrough. A big shot crumpled Ali and the ref waved it off. The win was his — technically clean, but far from dominant. If anything, it raised more questions than it answered.
“It wasn’t vintage Joe Joyce,” one commentator noted ringside. “He got the job done, but that’s all you can really say.”
Where’s the Juggernaut Gone?
The concern isn’t just the performance — it’s what it means. Joyce’s strengths have always been his engine, toughness, and pressure. But those qualities rely on timing and sharpness. If they’re fading, what’s left?
His last two fights — first the stoppage loss to Zhang, now this unconvincing win — suggest that Joyce is at a career crossroads. Can he adapt and evolve, or has the window started to close?
Who’s Next?
Joyce still has options, but the matchups now look tougher. A rematch with Zhilei Zhang would be a huge risk. A fight with Daniel Dubois or Filip Hrgovic might bring fireworks, but only if Joyce can rediscover his edge.
There’s also the possibility of a rebuilding fight — maybe against someone like Demsey McKean or Jermaine Franklin — to get confidence and rhythm back.
Final Word
Joe Joyce got the win. That matters. But in truth, this fight raised as many concerns as it answered. If he wants to return to world title contention, something’s got to shift — whether in training, tactics, or timing.
For now, the Juggernaut rolls on. But the road ahead looks bumpier than ever.
I like Joe Joyce but after that last performance, I will wait and see if he can get back to we’re he was hopefully he’ll have more confidence going forwards
Cheers Chris.