Joe Joyce, 40, explains motivation to continue fighting after 16-month layoff and two-fight losing streak

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Many assumed Joe Joyce had made his final ring walk following his gruelling loss to Filip Hrgovic in April last year.It marked Joyce’s fourth defeat in his last five fights, and at 40 years old, the 2016 Olympic silver medallist finds himself further adrift from the divisional elite than ever before. Joyce is chasing ‘legacy’ as he returns to the ring for the first time in 16 monthsGettyEven in his last win over Kash Ali in March 2024, Joyce looked like a shadow of the man who obliterated Joseph Parker for the WBO interim title four years ago. Most preeminent boxing voices have written Joyce off as a spent force.But ‘The Juggernaut’ insists that there are still plenty of miles left on the clock as he gears for his first fight in 16 months against the unbeaten Artem Suslenkov on July 11 at the VTB Arena in Moscow. Explaining his motivation to continue fighting during an exclusive interview with talkSPORT.com, Joyce said: “I’m fighting for legacy.“I want to show the boxing fans all around the world what I’ve got.“The icing on the cake would be to win a world title.“I obviously got up the mountain before, and this is my third crack at the pie.“Boxing is a game of snakes and ladders.”New trainerOn Saturday, Joyce will be led into battle by new head trainer SugarHill Steward.The pair linked up last year in the United States, and Joyce believes he has found a new lease of life under the patented Kronk system.Joyce’s new trainer SugarHill Steward is best known for his work with Tyson FuryMikey Williams/Top Rank“He is a really great guy and a really good coach,” Joyce added of Steward.“I’ve been in boxing a long time, but there is always more to learn.“I’m doing a lot of things I haven’t done before, and I’m excited to show what I have been working on.“I trialled him out, and it was a good fit, so here we are.“I have come across him before, and I’ve spent time with Fury and his team, so I knew it would be a good link-up.“I think you will see the best version [of me].”Watch Boxing on DAZN*If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenueSign up to DAZN to access the definitive subscription for boxing fans.Upgrade to DAZN Ultimate from just £24.99/month, guaranteeing access to 185+ fights annually, a minimum of 12 pay-per-views at no extra cost, as well as every Lega Serie A match and other elite football access.Alternatively, DAZN Standard is just £15.99/month, with the caveat you will have to pay for pay-per-view events.Click here to sign up.