Rio Olympics 2016: Joe Joyce beaten by France’s Tony Yoka in super-heavyweight gold medal bout
Says giant Brit: 'I gave it my all. I'm just disappointed. Silver is not that bad but I expected the gold. It wasn’t to be'
JOE JOYCE was beaten on points by France's Tony Yoka in his gold medal bout.
Super-heavyweight Joyce gave a terrific display and world champion Yoka scarcely landed a punch in the final round.
But the damage was done in the opening two rounds and the Frenchman just about deserved his split points decision.
Said the heartbroken Londoner: "He nicked it with the odd shot.
"I'm just disappointed. Silver is not that bad but I expected the gold. It wasn’t to be.
"I gave it my all. I got it right in training right and many thanks to Frazer Clarke for coming over here to spar with me. I wouldn’t be so sharp without him and Big Josh (Joshua Anthony) helped."
IBF world champ Anthony was upset for his friend and insisted: "In my eyes he’s a champion."
Joyce, backed by a number of Brits in the crowd for the Games' final boxing event, used his strength in the first round with some rough house tactics and sunk some solid body shots on his opponent.
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But two judges gave Yoka the round, the third scoring it for 6ft 5ins Joyce.
The second round saw more decent work from Joyce who demonstrated an excellent work rate, with two judges giving him the round and the third scoring it all square.
Yoka covered up in the third round for the most part as he looked like he knew that’s all he had to do to win the decision.
He was proved right.
The Frenchman demonstrated an excellent left jab at times throughout the bout and the world champion's class showed in the end.
But Joyce will undoubtedly no go on to have a promising professional career after such a good showing in Rio.
For Yoka victory meant a terrific personal double - his fiancee Estelle Mossely also won gold in the women's lightweight division.
