AJ’S LEFT ME COLD

Joe’s silent treatment

JOE JOYCE suspects Anthony Joshua has stopped speaking to him because he knows he is catching him up.

Joyce was briefly Joshua’s GB Boxing team-mate a decade ago and sparred with him for a few years when the world heavyweight champ turned pro.

But Joyce’s line to Joshua has gone dead and the 2016 Olympic silver medallist believes it may be because he sees him as a threat.

“Maybe that’s it, he’s very competitive,” said the Juggernaut.

“On the GB team, he was already qualified for the Olympics by the time I got on, so it wasn’t like we were rivals or anything because he was already way ahead.

“Then he went pro and he was way ahead again before I even turned pro. I did the Olympics and he helped me out with sparring and stuff.

“Now I’m just creeping up the ranks and I’m nearly at the same level.

“I haven’t really spoken to him. I tried to message him after his defeat to Andy Ruiz, but I think he might have thrown away his phone or cancelled his contract because I didn’t get a reply.

“I saw him at a boxing event, but maybe he didn’t see me. I haven’t really crossed paths with him. Maybe I’ll cross paths with him in the ring. “That would be a very exciting fight if we could make it happen.” Joyce, 35, who is 12-0, can take a step towards a showdown with Joshua by beating Carlos Takam at The SSE Arena, Wembley, on Saturday and he is the No.2 contender for his WBO crown.

He last sparred Joshua in January 2017 and says the relationship between them has changed. “When you’re with Team GB, you’re really close with people,” said the Putney fighter.

“You make friendships, it’s like being at school or uni, you’re vibing together. But when you go pro, you’ve got a new team so you drift apart. When you are at the same weight, it’s a little bit different.”