BREAKING BOARD

Joyce plans to skate back on to world title scene

- CHRIS MCKENNA

JOE JOYCE is not your average heavyweight – so he didn’t deal with defeat like any other boxer.

The Putney puncher suffered his first professional loss at the hands of China’s Zhilei Zhang in April.

It was the first time he had lost since a controversial defeat to France’s Tony Yoka in the 2016 Olympic final.

Joyce, 38, is back in the ring with Zhang tonight at Wembley Arena as he looks to get his world title dream back on track.

But it was solace on a one-wheel skateboard which helped the British fighter put the loss behind him.

“I got out in nature on my one-wheel skateboard thing, that helped me,” said Joyce.

“Going to see family and friends. Reviewing the footage as well and seeing where I went wrong. It wasn’t that I was thinking, it was a distraction and something to feel good about and enjoy.