Heavyweight Joe Joyce will make a return to the ring on July 11 in Moscow, Russia, against the unbeaten Artem Suslenkov.
The 40-year-old Joyce, 16-4 (15 KOs), has not fought since his unanimous decision loss to Filip Hrgovic in April 2025. It marked his fourth loss in five bouts, a downward spiral in from that began when he was stopped twice by Zhilei Zhang in 2023.
He would lose to Derek Chisora, too, before he came up against Hrgovic. It’s all a far cry from the stoppage victories he achieved over Daniel Dubois in 2020 and Joseph Parker two years later.
Now under the guidance of trainer “Sugar Hill” Steward, Joyce will travel to Moscow in an attempt to get his career back on track. Steward, the nephew of legendary trainer Emanuel Steward, has had success with Tyson Fury and worked alongside his uncle training the likes of Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko.
“I’ve spent the last year preparing, training and wanting to be back in the ring,” said Joyce in a press release from the IBA. “I’m excited for the opportunity to travel to Russia… My team and I are locked in and Moscow should get ready for a big performance.”
The bout will be on the undercard of Murat Gassiev’s WBA ‘regular’ heavyweight title defence against Tony Yoka.
Suslenkov, 14-0 (9 KOs) will look to register the biggest win of his career and set up a clash with countryman Gassiev for the WBA title.
“Joyce is a powerful opponent with strong technique and vast experience,” said Suslenkov, who is ranked at No. 9 in the WBA heavyweight ratings. “This is a serious challenge. I feel both excitement and full focus. Meticulous preparation and the right tactics to neutralise his strengths will be crucial. This is a chance to show my level and give the fans something to cheer about. Joyce is a strong, pressure-fighting heavyweight with heavy hands and a great deal of experience.”
