Zhilei Zhang vs. Joe Joyce II | ESPN+ - September 23, 2023

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Round-by-Round starts here




Joe Joyce exercises rematch clause for bout with Zhilei Zhang

Joe Joyce has exercised the rematch clause for a return bout with Zhilei Zhang, Joyce's manager, Adam Morallee, told ESPN on Monday.

The 40-year-old Zhang scored a massive upset when he stopped Joyce in the sixth round of their heavyweight bout last month in London.

Zhang, an Olympic silver medalist, is in the running to fight heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in July. However, Joyce has the contractual option to hold the rematch with Zhang in either of Zhang's next two fights. Queensberry promotes Fury, Joyce and has options on Zhang for his next three bouts.

"Joyce had the right to call for the rematch in either of the next two fights but has chosen to have the fight now," Morallee said. "I think he would have won the first fight had it continued and the eye hadn't gone.

"I think he would have swarmed him in the second half of the fight. That was always going to be a fight of two halves and unfortunately he got injured in the first half."

Zhang, a 6-1 underdog, punished Joyce, whose right eye was completely swollen shut when the fight was stopped on the advice of the ringside doctor in Round 6.

With the victory, Zhang (25-1-1, 20 KOs) placed himself in pole position for the Fury assignment this summer. But now that Joyce has exercised the rematch clause, he would have to allow Zhang to fight Fury first.

"This is the only fight we're looking at," Morallee said. "Get him back in his mandatory position and go for [the title shot]."

Joyce (15-1, 14 KOs) lost his WBO interim heavyweight title in the bout, which guaranteed the 37-year-old a shot at unified champion Oleksandr Usyk. Joyce is also an Olympic silver medalist (he captured his medal in 2016; Zhang in '08).

The Londoner dropped to No. 9 in ESPN's heavyweight rankings, while Zhang debuted at No. 7. Zhang's lone career defeat in the pros came in August when he dropped a controversial decision to Olympic bronze medalist Filip Hrgovic.

"We don't see the fight playing out differently; it's just a bad style matchup for Joe, and we have no problem fighting him again," said Zhang's manager, Terry Lane. "He's a very tough fighter; we have all the respect for Joe."

However, there's still hope from Zhang's side that something can be worked out so the Fury fight can take place next.

"We want the fight and we're prepared to take the fight in July," Lane said. "We're looking forward to talking about it."

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Sources: Zhilei Zhang-Joe Joyce rematch set for Sept. 2 in London

Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce will meet in a heavyweight rematch Sept. 2 in London, sources told ESPN on Friday.

Last month, Joyce (15-1, 14 KOs) exercised his contractual right to a return bout after Zhang scored a major upset in April. Zhang (25-1-1, 20 KOs) punished Joyce, whose right eye was completely swollen shut when the fight was stopped in London on the advice of the ringside doctor in Round 6.

The 40-year-old native of China entered ESPN's heavyweight rankings at No. 7 on the heels of the victory.

"Joyce had the right to call for the rematch in either of the next two fights but has chosen to have the fight now," Joyce's manager, Adam Morallee, told ESPN last month. "I think he would have won the first fight had it continued and the eye hadn't gone.

"I think he would have swarmed him in the second half of the fight. That was always going to be a fight of two halves and unfortunately he got injured in the first half."

Joyce, 37, was in position to face Tyson Fury this summer if he had emerged with the victory. Now, the Olympic silver medalist is looking to avenge the first defeat of his pro career.

The Londoner lost his WBO interim heavyweight title in the bout, which would have guaranteed him a shot at unified champion Oleksandr Usyk. Joyce dropped to No. 9 in ESPN's latest heavyweight rankings.

Joyce owns inside-the-distance victories over former heavyweight titleholder Joseph Parker and Daniel Dubois, who will challenge Usyk for the unified championship in August.

Zhang's only pro defeat came in August when he dropped a controversial decision to Olympic bronze medalist Filip Hrgovic.

The fight will be staged by Queensberry, which promotes Fury, Joyce and Dubois along with options on Zhang for his next three bouts.

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Zhilei Zhang Says Joyce Rematch Now Only 60% Likely: “They Made A Mistake”

“It looks like the rematch is the direction we’re heading in, but we’re still trying to figure out all the details. At one point I believe the Tyson Fury fight was on the radar for both teams, but it’s the rematch that got in the way, so that’s the direction we’re heading in.

“It’s up there. I would say a little more than 60 per cent [likely]. We’re looking at – what allegedly said was September – and that’s what we’re looking at right now. But it’s not my job. I just train – do my training every day.”

It seems Zhang has indeed missed out a shot at Tyson Fury’s WBC belt with Joyce activating the rematch clause – something he believes was the wrong choice.

“I would have chosen to fight one or two interim fights if I was him. I don’t know why his team is in such a rush to make it happen. I feel like his team made a mistake for the first fight, and now they’re probably going to make the second mistake, and if I beat Joe Joyce again his career’s going to end.

Their team didn’t do comprehensive homework on what I do; what I am. They need to study me more. That’s the mistake. They underestimated me.”

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Press Release

HEAVYWEIGHT GIANTS Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce are all set for a highly anticipated rematch at the OVO Arena, Wembley on Saturday, September 23, live on TNT Sports.

Tickets go on general sale at midday on Friday 30 June (tomorrow) from AXS.com.

Big Bang Zhang and Juggernaut Joyce first collided in mid-April at the Copper Box Arena, where it was Zhang who left the venue in possession of the WBO Interim Heavyweight World Championship strap.

Referee Howard Foster stopped the fight in the sixth round due to the heavy swelling around the right eye of defending champion Joyce.

The Chinese hero Zhang lived up to his stage name in Stratford, ending the unbeaten professional record of the fellow Olympic silver medallist.

New York-based Zhang, 25-1-1 (20 KOs), turned in a career-best performance in London to elevate himself into challenging the elite band of heavyweights, but first he must once again repel the powerful advances of Joyce, 15-1 (14 KOs), who will be determined to regain his lost property and place himself back at the top of the WBO rankings.

“I created history last time,” said Zhang. “And I believe the best way to inherit history is to create new ones. I look at the rematch as if it was a new fight; I look at Joe Joyce as if I never fought him before. I started from zero and this is the new self.”

“I’m coming back to take back what’s mine,” declared Joyce. “September 2nd I am leaving everything in that ring. No compromises. No underestimating my opponent. Nothing, but a win.

“Last time out I lost my undefeated professional record. It was hard to take. But after the dust settled, all that will do is make me better. I’ve learned lessons. I’m ready. And I am coming for everything.”

“This is a fight with high stakes written all over it,” stated promoter allegedly. “The first fight in April was the best heavyweight fight made this year and I am expecting more of the same at the OVO Arena on September 23.

“Joe will acknowledge that Zhilei did a number on him at the Copper Box and he has a lot to work on to put it right. But he knows what he has got to do, and his immediate future depends on him regaining his position as WBO Interim world champion.

“Thankfully, for Joe’s sake, the rotation system for mandatory challenges with the governing bodies means the WBO contender against the unified champion has yet to be called, so victory in September will put Joe right back in the frame to fight whoever emerges victorious out of the current champion Oleksandr Usyk and his next challenger, Daniel Dubois.

“This is why the stakes are so incredibly high for both fighters and I hope and expect that Wembley will be packed to the rafters for such a significant heavyweight match.”

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Zhilei Zhang: "After Joe Joyce, Fighting Tyson Fury Would Be My Next Target"

"Last time I made history, the best inheritance of history is to create new history," Zhang told CGTN Europe.

"Creating a new history of the Chinese in the field of boxing is my mission and my original intention. People always think Chinese boxing can't produce heavyweight boxers, and Chinese boxing can't compete with European and American boxing. I don't agree. I believe Chinese boxing will definitely occupy the most central position on the international stage.”

"We don't have a long term plan at the moment, our focus is still the battle with Joyce. After Joyce, fighting with Tyson Fury would be my next target,” Zhang said.

Last week, Joyce vowed to get revenge when he faces Zhang for a second time.

"I'm coming back to take back what's mine," Joyce said. "September 23 I am leaving everything in that ring. No compromises. No underestimating my opponent. Nothing but a win.

"Last time out I lost my undefeated professional record. It was hard to take. But after the dust settled, all that will do is make me better. I've learned lessons. I'm ready. And I am coming for everything.”

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Press Release

As Boxing Scene previously reported, Anthony Yarder hits the comeback trail towards his next world title challenge on September 23.

Yarde will have an all-British clash against Ricky Summers at the OVO Arena, Wembley on the big Zhilei Zhang-Joe Joyce rematch card, live on TNT Sports.

Tickets to see the heavyweight clash between Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce at the OVO Arena, Wembley on Saturday 23 September, are on sale now available from AXS.com and ticketmaster.co.uk.

Yarde, the self-styled Beast from the East, won the admiration of the boxing public back in January when he gave unified world light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev his toughest fight to date before being retired by his own corner in the eighth round in front of a packed and enthralled crowd at the same Wembley venue.

For Yarde (23-3, 22 KOs) it represented a second world title challenge after previously going up against the formidable Sergey Kovalev in the then champion’s home town back in 2019.

Summers (19-3-1, 6), from Staffordshire, was most recently in big fight action in March when he defeated Joel McIntyre to win the English light heavyweight title. It was his second tilt at the English belt, having dropped a split decision against the current British and European champion Dan Azeez in April 2021.

Also featuring on the Wembley card, headlined by The Big Bang seeking to once again knock The Juggernaut off course, is WBC International Silver and Commonwealth lightweight champion Sam Noakes (11-0, 11) defending his titles, along with WBC International super lightweight champion Pierce O’Leary (12-0, 7) making a second defense of his belt.

Also in the light heavyweights, the undefeated and flamboyant Nottingham stylist Ezra Taylor (6-0, 4) takes a significant step up when he faces Portsmouth man Joel McIntyre (20-7, 5) over eight rounds.

Former two-time European Amateur champion Royston Barney-Smith will have fight No.7 on his professional journey over six rounds.

Powerhouse cruiserweights and social media enemies Tommy Fletcher (5-0, 4) and Aloys Jr (4-1, 4) will brew their growing rivalry by both fighting in six-round fights to complete the card.

“I am delighted to be getting Anthony Yarde back in business following his January exploits against Artur Beterbiev,” said promoter allegedly. “He wants to be and we want him to be in a major fight again before the end of the year so a tough domestic opponent like Ricky Summers is the perfect test in order to bring Anthony back to his best.

“While Ricky will be an obvious outsider, we all know he will give his absolute all and make it as uncomfortable as possible for the favourite.

“A huge heavyweight showdown like Zhilei Zhang v Joe Joyce deserves a compelling undercard and that is what the fans will be getting on 23 September, live on TNT Sports.

“In Sam Noakes and Pierce O’Leary you will see two of the most exciting young fighters in the country and we also have the charismatic future light heavyweight star Ezra Taylor in a tough one against the experienced Joel McIntyre.

“The elite young super featherweight Royston Barney-Smith is also back on parade alongside our two explosive cruiserweight hopes in Tommy Fletcher and Aloys Jr.”

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Press Release

Five months after Chinese southpaw Zhilei “Big Bang” Zhang shook up the heavyweight division with a stunning knockout, he’ll look to do it again. Zhang’s rematch with British superstar Joe Joyce — Saturday, Sept. 23 at OVO Arena Wembley in London — will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.

Zhang-Joyce II, the return of two-time light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Yarde against Ricky Summers, and additional undercard action begins at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.

Zhang (25-1-1, 20 KOs), who at 6’6 and 275-plus pounds more than lives up to his nickname, captured an Olympic silver medal for his home country at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He turned pro in 2014 and compiled a 24-0-1 record before losing a controversial decision to Filip Hrgovic last August. Less than eight months later, he faced Joyce at London’s Copper Box Arena, peppering the Brit with lefts until the ringside physician stopped the fight in round six due to the swelling engulfing Joyce’s right eye. Zhang snatched Joyce’s WBO interim world title in the process.

Joyce (15-1, 14 KOs), a 2016 Olympic silver medalist, hopes to exact revenge in his hometown. Before the first Zhang fight, “The Juggernaut” was known as boxing’s immovable force, stopping top contenders Carlos Takam, Daniel Dubois, and Joseph Parker during a five-fight knockout streak. Joyce turned pro in October 2017 and won the Commonwealth title in his fourth outing.

[fanman]

It looked bad for Joyce last time. For once he met someone big and strong enough to hurt him. Who wouldn't back down or run away, but had better speed and technique.
Unless Joyce shows a much better defence, I would look to a repeat. And Joyce's style is to just barge forward.

[Thomastearns]

Joyce should be better prepared for a southpaw this time.
Joyce should be better prepared for a southpaw this time.

Are you reading this Joe??

Get a better trainer, if only for this fight.

Zhang will do what what Zhang will do, but Joyce can't do what he did last time.

Zhang is the far better boxer but he's getting old and lacks stamina.

Stamina is what Joyce has plenty of.

Joyce to win with a late stoppage unless he insists upon walking onto Zhang's left hooks all night again.

In that case, it will be 'Big Bang' Zhang!

Again.

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Fight Week!!

[Thomastearns]

It's hard to believe it's just a few days away.

Already.

Not sure what to expect but it's going to be disappointing if Joyce fights with the same tactics.

This might well be the highest profile matchup of the year - 2 genuine top 10 guys.

I think it's fair to say that both of these guys are better than Dubois.

Zhang in particular is a very odd fighter.

I don't think we've ever seen anyone like him before and the way Joe fought him first time out, I don't think he had either.

Either way it's going to be a real heartbreaker for one of these 2 great fighters.

[KiwiRider]

This is a very important fight for Joe Joyce.
If he doesn't come in with another plan, other than to eat shots with his face, then his career path likely doesn’t end with a world title unfortunately.
I still think it is a very winnable fight for Joyce, he was coming back after Zhang's cardio was letting him down as per..

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Zhang-Joyce Rematch: Pierce O’Leary Expects Fireworks Fight With Kane Gardner

THE BIG BANG, Pierce O’Leary and big banger ’Sugar’ Kane Gardner will fight in what promises to be a thrilling collision with O’Leary’s WBC International super lightweight title at stake at the OVO Arena, Wembley on September 23.

Dublin’s undefeated O’Leary (12-0, 7 KOs) and Beswick’s Kane (16-2, 7 KOs) will trade bombs as part of a bumper undercard supporting the heavyweight rematch between Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce, a show which also features the return of Anthony Yarde in light heavyweight action against Ricky Summers along with super middleweight star Zach Parker.

The 23-year-old O’Leary, in what will be his fourth battle as a Queensberry fighter, won his WBC belt with a comprehensive points victory over Emmanuel Mungandjela in November of last year, before making a spectacular first defence in Belfast, destroying Alin Florin Ciorceri in 71 seconds back in May.

Gardner, 28, will come into the fight off a run of four straight wins and two significant triumphs. In May of last year he travelled north to Glasgow as the away fighter to take on the highly-rated Marios Matamba and emerged victorious over 10 rounds before, in March, he overcame Conah Walker over eight in Bolton.

“Yeah it is a great fight, a really, really top one,” considered the iBox Gym-trained O’Leary on his forthcoming assignment. “The kid has got a great record, he is very experienced, and he knows what he’s doing.

“Listen, I am expecting a great fight. Of course I expect him to bring it, every fighter expects that regardless, whatever their record it, that is the nature of the sport. I expected it in my last fight, but I got there before he could do anything!

“I was very happy with my performance and I was expecting a tough fight. I was so focused, I did what I had to do and got him out much earlier than I thought I would.

“I will do exactly the same for this fight, stay focused and take it round by round. When I focus just on myself I bring out the best version of me.

“That I am in a tough fight like this shows the belief that Queensberry have in me. He has been in tough fights himself and he has made fights tough against journeymen. I am not a journeyman, I have got a great boxing IQ and, if I stop him, I will make a big, big statement.”

From an away corner perspective, Gardner views this fight as his own breakthrough opportunity on a major television platform.

“It is what I wanted and what I need,” said the Lancashire-based bomber. “I am more than ready for it. I haven’t been able to get anyone before and I have been turned down left, right and centre for a number of reasons.

“I am just happy that I have got a title fight now after seven years. I think I was put forward to fight Dalton Smith two or three times and they turned it away. It can be disheartening but I kept telling myself to stick at it and an opportunity would come.

“I have seen a bit of Pierce and I know he can punch a bit, but this is what I am in the game for. I don’t mind 50-50 fights, I have been in them before and it is what I want.

“I have been saying this is my breakthrough year and this fight will literally complete it. It can’t fail to be a good fight and I am never in a dull one, really.”

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British, Chinese, South African Judges Assigned To Fight Saturday Night

The British Boxing Board of Control has assigned a judge apiece from the home countries of Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce and a judge from neither fighter’s homeland to their heavyweight championship rematch Saturday night.

BS.com has confirmed that South Africa’s Deon Dwarte, China’s Mark Leong and England’s Marcus McDonnell will work their second 12-round fight for the WBO interim championship Zhang won from Joyce five months ago. England’s Steve Gray has been chosen as the referee for Zhang-Joyce II, which will headline a Queensberry Promotions card at OVO Wembley Arena in London.

China’s Zhang upset England’s Joyce by sixth-round technical knockout April 15 at Copper Box Arena in London. British referee Howard Foster took the advice of a British Boxing Board of Control physician and stopped their bout at 1:23 of the sixth round because of severe swelling around Joyce’s right eye, which Zhang caused by continually landing left hands for five-plus rounds.

The judges nevertheless had their scheduled 12-round bout close on the scorecards through five rounds.

England’s Phil Edwards had Joyce ahead, 48-47, entering the sixth round. The 2016 Olympic silver medalist trailed Zhang by the same score, 48-47, on the scorecards of Wisconsin’s Mike Fitzgerald and Florida’s Efrain Lebron.

The 6-foot-6, 256-pound Joyce (15-1, 14 KOs), who exercised his contractual right to an immediate rematch, was a 9-1 favorite in advance of that optional title defense. He was also the WBO’s mandatory challenger for one of Oleksandr Usyk’s four titles, a position that the 6-foot-6, 278-pound Zhang attained by beating Joyce.

Zhang (25-1-1, 20 KOs), who won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, is slightly favored to win their second bout, according to most sportsbooks.

TNT Sports will televise this rematch between Zhang, 40, and Joyce, 38, as the main event of a multi-bout broadcast scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. BST in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It’ll headline a show ESPN+ will stream in the United States, starting at 2 p.m. EDT and 11 a.m. PDT.

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presser today

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Eddie Hearn said repeat rather than revenge – and a precise one at that.

“I’m afraid to say it, I’m gonna go with a Zhang stoppage inside six rounds.”

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Zhilei Zhang: “Your team is going for a rematch, which is a big mistake and I’m going to end your career.”

Joe Joyce: “Well, let’s see it then. Let’s have it…I’m looking forward to getting a victory this time around.”

[gilgamesh]

How old is Zhang anyway?

EDIT: Nevermind. I see he's 40.

[jwfg]

How old is Zhang anyway?

EDIT: Nevermind. I see he's 40.

He's hasn't got many miles on the clock for a boxer of that age, in my opinion.

[Thomastearns]

How old is Zhang anyway?

EDIT: Nevermind. I see he's 40.

He's hasn't got many miles on the clock for a boxer of that age, in my opinion.

Perhaps a bit like Fury and Ruiz, he also gets underestimated because of his physique?

If we assume that his loss to Hrgovic was really a win, then he has an absolutely astounding record.

This remains a very dangerous fight for Joe.

Whoever wins absolutely deserves a shot at Usyk or Fury.

Even as a Joyce fan, it doesn't feel right that Zhang has to do this and didn't get a title shot immediately.

Zhang definitely has more to lose now.

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Here are predictions from some big names in the world of boxing.

Zhang's trainer, Shaun George: "It's a knockout. It's the only chance we have. I don't trust the politics in this sport. I don't understand the referees and judges here. There's only one mission - this fight will not be going the distance."

Undefeated lightweight Caroline Dubois: "I think Joyce starts sharper and switched on for the first few rounds, avoiding Zhang's shots. After focusing on defence he'll then step it up and then look to get Zhang out late - maybe in rounds 10-12. It will be a good fight but I think Joyce will get his revenge."

Light-heavyweight prospect Ben Whittaker: "It's a tough one especially after the first fight. But I believe in Joyce, especially with his engine and his chin. He looks good in training. I am going for a unanimous points decision for Joyce."

WBO welterweight champion Sandy Ryan: "It would be nice to see Joyce come back with a win but Zhang is very good. It might be the same outcome."

Former world lightweight champion Anthony Crolla: "One of Joyce's assets is the pace he sets. He has one of the best engines in the division, without a shadow of a doubt. He's got to make Zhang work hard early on, be more switched on defensively and drag Zhang into the second half of the fight and catch up there.

"I do think he wins. I think we will see a late stoppage from Joyce to regain his mandatory position."

Boxing trainer Dave Coldwell: "Everything is riding on this fight for Joyce. Can he do it? Yeah I do think he can but it depends on the quality of southpaw sparring he's had. Has he learned, in these two camps now, how to deal with a southpaw? Because if he hasn't, he's in a world of trouble."

Former light-middleweight world champion Hannah Rankin: "This is definitely a tough fight for Joyce but I expect him to have learned from the first fight and as long as he's more active and doesn't let Zhang get into a rhythm, then I think we could see him take back his title."

WBO cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith: "I think Joyce stops him in the second half of the fight. Zhang was tiring in the last fight and I think Joe is smart enough to make adjustments early on to not get hit as much. So I think providing he doesn't take too much damage early on, Joyce can get to Zhang and stop him later on in the fight."

British heavyweight Anthony Yarde, who fights on the undercard: "I really want Joyce to get revenge and be back in the mix for a world title, but he has his work cut out. He was getting hit with some clean back hands in the first fight. I was ringside and could hear the shots being landed.

"I don't see him beating Zhang unless he can somehow execute a perfect gameplan."

TV show Apprentice winner, former amateur boxer and coach Marnie Swindells: "Joyce will win by stoppage in between rounds six and eight. This will be a real career-defining moment for him.

"He has had a lot of time to reflect on the opponent. I think he was very disappointed with how the first fight went, but that's heavyweight boxing. Joyce will come back harder than ever."

[goose 5]

Is the undercard being streamed in America or just the main event ?