Joe Joyce has opened up about a recent diagnosis as the former interim heavyweight champion continues to face calls for retirement.
‘The Juggernaut’ is set to fight on despite several losses of late, with comparisons to aging heavyweight warrior Danny Williams surfacing online.
However, Joyce has now offered a different perspective on the concerns surrounding his health and the effects of a brutal boxing career.
The 40-year-old British heavyweight discussed the subject during an emotional interview with The Daily Mail, which addressed suggestions that his slow speech could be linked to the punishment he has taken throughout his career.
The interview was promoted with the words “I haven’t got CTE,” as Joyce addressed concerns surrounding his health.
His latest revelation comes after a series of punishing defeats, with his manner of speaking attracting increasing attention as questions continue over whether he should fight again.
Joe Joyce’s Diagnosis
Joyce revealed that he learned he was neurodivergent last year, describing the discovery as liberating after spending much of his boxing career feeling misunderstood.
Neurodivergent is not a medical diagnosis in itself. It describes people whose brains process information, learn or communicate differently from what is considered typical. This can include autism, ADHD and dyslexia, among other conditions. These differences are not necessarily illnesses or something that needs to be cured.
Joyce did not specify a particular condition in his accompanying public statement.
The slugger has long been misunderstood, as World Boxing News knows firsthand.
Joyce spoke to WBN in the weeks after winning his silver medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. He spoke slowly back then, not far removed from how he speaks today.
It is only since Joyce became embroiled in a series of brutal fights that questions have arisen about whether he is punchy or feeling the effects of a long boxing career.
That observation does not settle any medical questions, but it provides important context for the discussion surrounding Joyce today.
Joyce Statement
Following his interview with The Mail, Joyce shared a deeply personal statement explaining what the diagnosis meant to him and why he had decided to speak publicly.
“I’m incredibly proud of this interview, and grateful for every message of support.
“I’ve never been a big talker, and I’ve often felt misunderstood in the boxing world.
“Being diagnosed as neurodivergent last year was liberating. Working with the team at Kove over the past 12 months has been life-changing.
“When I was deciding whether to be this public with my story, it was the idea of helping others that motivated me. I want to be a force for good. Being neurodivergent can be very isolating when you don’t have the understanding or the tools. I hope my story can open up more conversation, and make it easier for people to get the support they need.
“I’m still learning, and for me this is just the beginning.”
Joyce Wants to Help Others
The revelation comes after a particularly difficult period for the ex-Team GB star, who has lost five of his last six fights and faced growing calls to retire.
Joyce previously admitted that he was not financially in a position to walk away from boxing, despite the punishment he has absorbed in recent years.
World Boxing News also reported in September that Joyce had begun pursuing acting opportunities alongside his boxing career, having completed his first short film and started auditioning for further roles.
The concerns surrounding Joyce’s boxing future have not disappeared, and his diagnosis should not be confused with a medical assessment of the effects of his fighting career.
But after years of being judged for how he speaks, Joyce has finally offered his own explanation of what being misunderstood has meant to him.
For a fighter who has endured so much punishment inside the ring, his decision to speak publicly is about more than his own boxing future.
Joyce hopes his story can help others who have spent years feeling judged.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.
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