Joe Joyce defeated by Tony Yoka in Olympic Games super-heavyweight final

By James Dielhenn

Image: Tony Yoka beat GB's Joe Joyce to a gold medal

Joe Joyce was denied an Olympic gold medal after defeat to French rival Tony Yoka in the super-heavyweight final at Rio 2016.

The Great Britain puncher was forced to take a silver medal after a split decision favoured Yoka, the reigning world amateur champion.

Joyce was far busier throughout the three-round final but the judges preferred Yoka's ability to cover up, defend himself, and reply with less frequent shots.

The London fighter set a lightning quick pace from the opening bell and threatened to overwhelm the Frenchman, who he had previously beaten in the European final last summer.

Image: Joyce's power couldn't get past the guard of Yoka often enough

Top seed Yoka was ahead on two out of three scorecards after the first round after he expertly manoeuvred around Joyce's more physical frame.

Advertisement

Joyce's power was a constant danger and he hurt Yoka with a second-round body shot, but the Frenchman established a jab that earned him the nod from the judges again.

Also See:

The Team GB representative knew he required a stoppage in the final period but that never looked likely against the savvy Yoka, who matched his fiancée Estelle Mossely's achievement of a Rio 2016 boxing gold medal.

Outbrain