Joe Joyce schedules comeback bout in Moscow against unbeaten Suslenkov

British boxer Joe Joyce is preparing for a highly anticipated return to professional competition after an absence of over a year. The Olympic silver medalist is scheduled to compete against the undefeated Russian heavyweight Artem Suslenkov in Moscow, marking a pivotal moment in his career. The upcoming bout, as reported by BBC Sport, will be Joyce's first since his encounter with Zhilei Zhang in September of the previous year. Joyce's last appearance in the ring saw him suffer a third-round knockout loss to Zhang, which was a follow-up to an earlier defeat against the same opponent in April. These back-to-back losses represented the first professional defeats for the London-born fighter, who had previously maintained an unblemished record. Before these setbacks, Joyce had established himself as a formidable force in the heavyweight division, including a notable victory over Joseph Parker in 2022 that earned him the interim WBO title. The announcement of this fight comes amidst previous reports suggesting a potential matchup between Joyce and Derek Chisora. However, it now appears that Joyce has opted for a different path for his comeback, choosing to face Suslenkov, who holds an impressive professional record without any losses. Suslenkov most recently secured a victory over Kevin Nicolas Espindola in December, adding to his formidable reputation. The clash against Suslenkov presents a crucial opportunity for Joyce to re-establish his dominance and regain momentum in the competitive heavyweight landscape. A strong performance in Moscow could pave the way for future high-profile encounters and help him climb back into contention for major titles. Fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching to see how Joyce performs after his extended break and against an opponent who has yet to taste defeat.