By Steve Kim
Heavyweight hopeful, Joe Joyce was rather breathless after his first day at the Summit in Big Bear, training under the direction of the noted Abel Sanchez.
When asked to describe his first day there, he said on Tuesday afternoon - "Man, tiring. I'm still trying to get my breath back. The intensity of the training - I really have to push myself to get through it and I'm really glad I'm on the other side."
But there is no rest for the weary, here.
"We've got an early start tomorrow morning, 6 o'clock run up the mountain. I've got that to look forward to," said the 2016 Olympic silver medalist, who has a mark of 5-0 (5 KO's) as a professional.
"I've worked hard throughout my career but this is different, it's a different level of hard and a different level of intensity," said Joyce, who was asked what was different about this particular work.
"I think like the different exercises that we do with that intensity. I had done them before for warm-ups but not that intense. I also think the altitude, I have to get use to, as well."
So is this a bit of a culture shock for him?
"Yeah," answered Joyce, laughing. "I feel like I've just been pushed in the deep end."
During his first day in Big Bear, Joyce trained alongside the likes of Gennady Golovkin, Ryan Martin, Ali Akmedov and Alfredo Angulo. He says of Golovkin - "really friendly, he likes to help out and that helped me out with the exercises. So it's great to be training alongside such a big name in boxing."
Joyce was in the market for a new cornerman after the retirement of Ismael Salas. As for why Sanchez was tabbed, he explained - "What he can bring to the table is suited to what's going to be best for me. I thought it was a good fit after Ismael Salas."
As for when his next fight will take place,''the plan is to fight in September, so I'll be getting ready for that. Hopefully on the AJ (Anthony Joshua)-(Alexander) Povetkin card (September 22nd)"
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.
