“It was a good fight. I enjoyed it,” said Joe Joyce, following his grueling 10-round decision loss to Derek Chisora at London’s O2 Arena. 

Joyce was dropped in the ninth, a moment the Putney man felt was pivotal in determining the fight’s outcome.

“Just a bit disappointed I didn’t get the decision,” Joyce added.   

“I’ll have to watch it back. I saw the knockdown. I just needed to be careful, and that [the knockdown]’s what’s tipped the round. It was a valiant performance from myself and Derek, so I hope the fans enjoyed it.”

Chisora was buoyed by his loyal followers singing his name throughout the slugfest, but the 38-year-old Joyce, now 16-3 (15 KOs), didn’t stop coming forwards. 

“I heard there was great support for Derek, and he’s got a couple of fights left,” Joyce added. “I’m going to have to review what I do, but I still feel fresh and ready to go again. I’ll look at my options.”

Several times it seemed like Chisora might fall apart and Joyce – who has now lost three of his last four – might be able to stop him. But Chisora, gallant and defiant in equal measure, kept blasting forwards. Joyce had even sensed several chances to finish the fight early.

“Yeah, he’s a tough, tough man and if only I put on a bit more pressure and landed the right shots, you know, it was just very close,” he explained. “I’m very disappointed but I felt like it was a good fight. I enjoyed it actually. 

“I think I’ll come again… I still enjoy the sport.”