By Charles Brun: Joe Joyce’s lead trainer Ismael Salas has tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of his 12-round fight against Daniel Dubois, but the fight will still go-ahead for Saturday night at the Church House in Westminster, UK.
The Daily Star is the one that broke the news of Joyce’s trainer Salas, testing positive for the coronavirus. Fortunately for Joyce, 35, he’ll be able to fight against Dubois (15-0, 14 KOs).
Salas hasn’t been working with the unbeaten Joyce (11-0, 10 KOs) for the past month due to him being in Las Vegas, Nevada, working with other fighters.
Joe Joyce will have trainers Steve Broughton and Jimmy Tibbs working with him this Saturday night
Joyce: I’ll find my range and knock out Dubois
“I’m quietly confident, and I’m ready to do the business on Saturday night,” Joyce said at the final news conference for his match against Dubois.
“Daniel is supposed to wipe the floor with me on the night, so he has all that pressure on him. I’m the underdog, and I’m coming to take him out.
“I don’t really care, to be honest,” Joyce said about people writing him off. “It makes a difference [Joyce having a glittering amateur career] because I’ve been there and there are no questions about my ability and my achievement, whereas Dubois hasn’t really done anything in the amateurs, and he hasn’t done anything quite yet in the pros.
“I’ve achieved more in my fights. He’s had five more fights, but I’ve had much better tests and the questions answered. I’m in a place where I’m ready to go for that world title.
“I believe so,” Joyce said when asked if he feels he’s fought at a higher level as a professional than the 23-year-old Dubois. “I just want to go to work, find my range, and just knock him out. I don’t really have anything to say to him.
“I just think he should respect his elders, and he will do it on the night,” said Joyce.
“We’ll see about that,” Dubois said in responding to the comment from Joyce about him needing to respect his elders. “I’m ready to go, ready for war.”
Dubois planning to break Joyce down
“I’m feeling confident. I’ve left no stone unturned in training, and I’m ready to rumble,” Dubois said. “I’m ready to go, and it’s my destiny. Those guys are old and past their prime a long time ago.
“I’m a different fighter altogether, and I’m ready to go,” Dubois said in minimizing Joyce’s experience in fighting well-known heavyweights Bryant Jennings and Bermane Stiverne.
“Putting all my strengths to good use, my youth, and my power. Of course, I’m ready to go 12 rounds, no problem,” Dubois said. “I’ll break him down and chop him down.”
“You haven’t seen the best of me yet, and I’m pretty sure this fight will show what I can do,” said Dubois. “I’m looking forward to showing the whole repertoire of my punches and skills.
“I’m 100% prepared. Of course, a knockout is the best way for me, and that’s what I’m going for—a clear message to the rest of the fighters around the world that I’m coming.
Joe ready to take advantage of his opportunitiesÂ
“I’ve seen him knock out some guys, but do you think I wouldn’t knock out those guys?” said Dubois about the lesser fighters Dubois had padded his record with during his short career.
“I’ve got power in both hands, I’m ready, and I’ve got a good chin. My engine is good, and I’m ready to go 12 rounds if need be, but you don’t get paid for overtime.
“So if I see that opportunity, I’ll be punching until he’s down,” said Joyce. “Then he’s in a whole heap of trouble,” Joyce said if he’s able to handle Dubois’ power.
“I’ve taken big shots and didn’t go down, but that’s not my mentality going in there. I prefer not to take the big shots, move out of the way, and hit and not get hit.
“As many people say, I’m not blessed with speed, but I hit the target. That’s the main thing, and I keep coming, yeah.”