Zhilei Zhang vs. Joe Joyce II | TNT Sport - 23 September 2023

[MightyWarrior]

Box News industry picks interesting, considering first one was pretty conclusive ..

Zhang 34 votes
Joe 24 votes

[Ruthless-RKO]

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."

[MightyWarrior]

Yarde picking Zhang, that’s odd considering he’s Joes stablemate. I mean I know he’s being honest, but boxers almost never do that.

Maybe he’s pissed that no one Is doing a poll on who wins his fight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Yarde picking Zhang, that’s odd considering he’s Joes stablemate now I think. I mean I know he’s being honest, but boxers almost never do that.

Yeh, usually the Brits back their own..

He's not exactly saying Zhang will beat him.

Say's Joyce has to change something

[Spud]

Zhang stops him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Night!!

[Nightmare Roy]

Hope Joe can do it, maybe he can coming in close to two stone heavier, backing Zhang though, too dominant last time.

[tonyevs]

Zhang just looked a naturally bigger unit than Joyce, so I really don't see the extra weight being too significant.

What will be significant is if he has learnt how to avoid those backhands of Zhang ..

[Oiky]

Joe can't be no worse than last time can he surely

[JamesPhilips]

Anyone know if the early fights are on YouTube?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Anyone know if the early fights are on YouTube?

Not that I can see as of yet.

[Kilburn]

Bit stingy.

[SeanBrennan]

Anyone know if the early fights are on YouTube?

Not that I can see as of yet.

I don't think so mate I had a look too and a Google to see if it was going to be,

[Ruthless-RKO]

Bit stingy.

They have done it like twice.

Matchroom/DAZN do it every time.

[THEBUTCH]

Nowhere near as confident as the first fight, but Joyce by stoppage

[Glass Joe]

Eubank Jr and Leigh Wood have both recently got revenge in their fights , thou opponents being dead at the weight was a huge factor. I think Joyce will do the same. Got a feeling Joyce believed this own Chin Juggernaut hype, so will adjust and fight more cautiously and stop Zhange late.

[Glass Joe]

Bit stingy.

They have done it like twice.

Matchroom/DAZN do it every time.

[SeanBrennan]

I'm trying to buy TNT Sports Box Office, I don't subscribe to TNT/Discovery but had no trouble buying the PPV last time, watched it on laptop and trying to do it again. It says I don't need TNT sub to buy it as a one off, I cannot find the actual link to buy it though. Can anyone advise or send a link I can click and buy from? I'd normally be happy to chance a dodgy link but just want to watch it uninterrupted without issues. Thanks in advance if anyone can help.

sorry for cross posting just want to get it ordered

[MightyWarrior]

It’s not on box office, it’s just on TNT sports 1

watching the weigh in, Dev Sahni was saying the roof came off when Joe was introduced, proving how he’s transcending the sport.

Meanwhile BBC reports

“Disappointingly, the lack of reporters at Thursday's news conference and the small crowd at the weigh-in suggests this is a fight which has not yet captured the attention of wider sports fans.”

[SeanBrennan]

It’s not on box office, it’s just on TNT sports 1

watching the weigh in, Dev Sahni was saying the roof came off when Joe was introduced, proving how he’s transcending the sport.

Meanwhile BBC reports

“Disappointingly, the lack of reporters at Thursday's news conference and the small crowd at the weigh-in suggests this is a fight which has not yet captured the attention of wider sports fans.”

thanks mate that explains a lot!! cheers thought I was being bonkers

[Glass Joe]

thank god this isnt on box office we dont need a box office fight every week

[jameswilson]

Interested to see how the arena looks.

Joyce has a blan personality but an attractive style. Watched the first fight gaain last night and you could clearly see empty seats. The Copperbox has always been a tough arena to fill so Wembley arena will hopefully be full as it's a fight that deserves it if not a good undercard.

[SeanBrennan]

I just stupidly assumed it would be ppv as everything half decent seems to be

[NazNaci1]

As a successful amateur, Joe really struggled with the southpaw stance, much more than I thought he would have.

Can he deal with it, this time, as he got bashed about and seemed lost, something which he admitted.

Hope he can gas Zhang out but not sure...

[Nightmare Roy]

I just stupidly assumed it would be ppv as everything half decent seems to be

me too! Anything half decent with a bit of hype always costs at least a Bobby these days. I dont have the channel so it's the radio for me as per usual