The David Haye Joe Joyce promoter-fighter partnership is underway but the pair are not taking things easy starting out. Not by a long shot.

Accomplished British amateur standout Joe Joyce made the decision to turn pro this week with David Haye as a promoter.

The move follows a stellar amateur career that includes an silver Olympic medal, a bronze World Championships medal and two gold medals in the Commonwealth and European games respectively.

The 31 year old heavyweight isn’t in your typical age bracket for turning over as a pro, but his new promoter David Haye this week has been saying this is because he’s a special case.

Haye has pointed to the experience Joyce has had in tournaments such as the World Boxing Series and to sparring sessions with accomplished heavyweights in today’s pro game – where Haye commented he always ‘held his own’.

The bold move that Haye and Joyce have gone for however is putting Joyce into a ten round contest in his very first pro fight.

This will come against Ian Lewinon at the O2 Arena in London next month on October 20th.

Lewison has vowed to take Joyce out early, but Haye has stressed this week that Joyce only gets going after a few rounds and once he does, it will be curtains for his opponent.

It’s very rare you see a prospect thrown into a ten rounder on his pro debut.

A refreshing move, frankly, and one perhaps a sign of the times.

An era where fight fans are no longer content to see exciting prospects knock over outmatched foes early on in their careers any more.