Joe Joyce vs. Zhang Zhilei | BT Sport - 15 April 2023

[funso banjo baby]

Obviously Joyce needs to break his opps down slowly, so this should be a war with ZHang throwing everything but getting stopped around 8 or 9 rounds.

A very fun matchup

If there are any other ok heavies on the bill, I would even consider ppv

[The Gratest]

Man, I like this one. It's like a heavyweight Mayweather v Pac.

Zhang's got fast hands for such a big lump, and a fair bit of snap to his punches early on. He reminds me a bit of Corrie Sanders, southpaw, fast hands, 2-3 punch combos with a bit of a dig. I can see Joyce's vaunted chin being tested early on like never before (except when he got dropped in the ama's), especially by that left cross. Zhang being a big southpaw might prove a bit problematic for Joyce as well, as it might negate his jab, and he's not exactly known for delivering a straight right cross lead. I expect him to eventually prevail, wearing down Zhang late on with his relentless output as Zhang has show signs that his stamina isn't the best, but he'll probably need to eat a few punches early on (as ever).

[Ruthless-RKO]

[deadpan]

Enough wiggle room there for it to ultimately be Sergey 'he kayoed him in the amateurs' Kuzmin or the 'unbeaten and hard-hitting' Mike Balogun.

[Coco]

This fight genuinely excites me

[margaret thatcher]

zhang has good power early and i suppose has an outside shot of catching jj cold, but he loses steam after the first half pretty notably. joyce should overwhelm him mid to late if it happens

[Coco]

zhang has good power early and i suppose has an outside shot of catching jj cold, but he loses steam after the first half pretty notably. joyce should overwhelm him mid to late if it happens

That is the predictable ending which I also expect.

However think we will be able to enjoy the early bombs from Zhang, I def can see Joyce on the floor.

Later on we will see Zhang looking exhausted but still standing up to the punishment and still dangerous in short spurts.

Bit of a no win for Joyce because it will be viewed as a routine fight, a disaster to lose, but I'm sure even within a good performance, he will still have to take his lumps.

[garethhop]

Signed and announced. BT Sport on the 15th at the Copper Box. Count me in.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

JOE JOYCE WILL defend his WBO Interim World Heavyweight title against the Chinese giant Zhilei Zhang at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday, 15 April, live on BT Sport.

It will be a first defence of the belt for the 'Big Juggernaut' Joyce, 15-0 (14 KOs), who put himself first in line for a shot at the full WBO title with a thrilling victory over Joseph Parker in September of last year in Manchester.

"This is another cracker of a card that should be in keeping with the special night we all just enjoyed at Wembley," said promoter allegedly. "We want to keep Big Joe busy while the heavyweight title scene unfolds but there can be no easy touches in a defence of his WBO Interim title. Zhilei Zhang is anything but an easy touch, he is a formidable powerhouse who can consider himself unlucky not to be still an unbeaten contender following his fight with Filip Hrgovic last year.

"Zhang being a southpaw ticks a significant box for Joe, with Usyk being a left-hander and Tyson carrying the ability to adopt either stance. That is what we want next for Joe and hopefully it will be a huge all-British collision against Tyson."

The undercard will be announced in due course with a host of Queensberry’s established and rising stars to be added to the bill.

With the current unified champion Oleksandr Usyk expected to fight for the status of undisputed against WBC ruler Tyson Fury this year, the 37-year-old Joyce will bolster his own heavyweight credentials by taking on the 6ft 6" southpaw who resides in Bloomfield, New Jersey.

'Big Bang' Zhang, 24-1-1 (19 KOs) last saw action over in Jeddah in August when he fought in an IBF final eliminator against the Croatian Filip Hrgovic. The 39-year-old was declared the loser via the judges' scorecards, but many commentators believed him to have won after dominating the early stages of the fight.

The Chinese fighter now gets the opportunity to put himself in the world title frame once again on what will be a first professional visit to the capital for the southpaw.

"This is a great fight for boxing and a great opportunity for Zhilei," said Terry Lane, Zhang’s manager. "Once again, he takes on a challenge that many are running from. There will be fireworks in London on 15 April."

[tony1234]

Fair enough on BT Sport, as it should be and shows what a rip off other fights being on PPV are

[maverick23]

Good start to the year for Frank. This and the Beterbiev/Yarde fights are excellent normal subs fights.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Good start to the year for Frank. This and the Beterbiev/Yarde fights are excellent normal subs fights.

Yeh. Frank usually takes a while to get going.

I’d say he’s #1 in the UK against

[deadpan]

Enough wiggle room there for it to ultimately be Sergey 'he kayoed him in the amateurs' Kuzmin or the 'unbeaten and hard-hitting' Mike Balogun.

This hasn't aged well! Really pleased it's happening. Could be a cracker. And Joe seems impossible not to root for.

[Manchester Hitman]

Good stuff from Frank. Also, looks like he’s getting ready to announce Fury v Usyk next week.

[handsofstone]

Great fight fair play to Warren again

[big lennox]

Great fight fair play to Warren again

Absolutely. He is delivering quality fights.

[KiwiRider]

If the poll is 96% for Joyce winning, how is this a good fight?
Ancient paper record Zhang who runs out of puff after 4 rounds vs Joyce?
Surely a good fight is one where the outcome isn't predetermined.

[joshj909]

If the poll is 96% for Joyce winning, how is this a good fight?
Ancient paper record Zhang who runs out of puff after 4 rounds vs Joyce?
Surely a good fight is one where the outcome isn't predetermined.

It's an exciting fight but Zhang isn't a blockbuster opponent, let's be honest. Everyone giving credit to Frank for arranging him as a PPV opponent probably didn't give credit to Hearn for putting him on as a co-main Vs Hrgovic. He's a solid opponent, it will be an exciting fight while it lasts, Joyce will almost certainly win.

[margaret thatcher]

it's a solid fight vs a guy who most people thought just beat hrg and can whack, at least early. it's not some jizz worthy or great fight, and yes big clubbin joe's a strong fave, but it's one i'll catch 4 sho

[Cyclops]

If the poll is 96% for Joyce winning, how is this a good fight?
Ancient paper record Zhang who runs out of puff after 4 rounds vs Joyce?
Surely a good fight is one where the outcome isn't predetermined.

Without looking I bet the Beterbiev vs Yarde polls were similar. It didn't stop it being an enjoyable spectacle.

I attended that and I will be attending this.

I personally think this is a cracking match up and should be a lot of fun while it lasts.

[Ruthless-RKO]

It’s a lopsided poll because Joyce will likely win.

I think most are expecting it to be at least competitive til then.

We all know Joyce blocks with his face.

[ashall2]

Great fight fair play to Warren again

Absolutely. He is delivering quality fights.

Beterbiev v Yarde
Joyce v Zhang
Fury v Usyk

Good start to the year for Frank.

[margaret thatcher]

is fury-usyk on?

[mickey1975]

is fury-usyk on?

Of course. Don’t believe the haters on an anti Fury forum…