Zhilei Zhang utilised his laser-like left hand to sting Joe Joyce into submission on away soil five months ago, and after inflicting the Juggernaut’s first professional loss earlier this year, looks to prove it was no fluke in just over two weeks’ time. The Brit’s trainer, Ismael Salas, admitted he also overlooked the Chinese contender – but insisted that won’t be the case second time around.
Salas concedes what we knew: He overlooked Zhang
Zhilei Zhang (c) vs. Joe Joyce 2
WBO interim heavyweight championship fight
London’s OVO Arena, live on September 23
- Zhang scored a surprising R6 TKO win over Joyce at London’s Copper Box Arena in April, ending the long-time heavyweight contender’s unblemished professional record and snatching interim world title status
- Joyce had openly hoped for a world title shot against WBC champion Tyson Fury, was ringside at his last fight and didn’t need to take what was a voluntary defence of his interim championship – but paid the price
- “Not only Joe [overlooked Zhang], even myself. I have to be honest, you know what I mean? He [Joyce] looked very sluggish, very basic as a fighter, but Zhang did very good. I congratulate Zhang and all his team but remember what I tell you: for the next fight it will be different, so different.”
After an impressive showing against former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker saw him score a R11 KO win last September, Joe Joyce insisted he would remain active in 2023 – whether he won the Tyson Fury sweepstakes or not.
He couldn’t afford not to be, and almost a year to that day, Joyce faces a must-win scenario in his first career rematch after being humbled by China’s Zhilei Zhang. Critics are picking holes in his resume, questions being asked, and he must deliver.
Although the division isn’t without its flaws, Joyce has – fitness permitting – proved an outlier in recent years and belatedly earned respect as a genuine contender. Yet the April scenario is why most of his contemporaries avoid risk where possible.
The scar tissue, both mentally and physically, doesn’t just disappear after a night like that. Referee Howard Foster felt compelled to stop the fight as swelling surrounding Joyce’s right eye worsened, and the Juggernaut was saved for another day.
Momentum rudely halted, the rebuild has begun after a contractual rematch clause was activated and Joyce acknowledges he somewhat overlooked the 40-year-old.
He wasn’t the only one in his team who was guilty of the same, with his head trainer Ismael Salas publicly admitting similar during an interview with BoxingScene.com as the September 23 fight date edges ever closer.
“Right now, you know, we are in training camp, he’s got three weeks with us and this time we’re doing general preparation. Actually, we working hard and polishing the mistakes with him.
I don’t like to take away anything from Zhang, did a great job and that’s why he won. But this time we go for the winning path, correcting all the mistakes we did, and I believe it will be a great fight – we will be the winner.”
Zhang-Joyce 2 fight card, is as follows
12-round main event: Zhilei Zhang (c) vs. Joe Joyce for WBO interim heavyweight title
10 rounds
Light-welterweight: Pierce O’Leary (c) vs. Kane Gardner for WBC International light-welterweight title
Light-heavyweight: Anthony Yarde vs. Ricky Summers
Lightweight: Sam Noakes (c) vs. Carlos Perez for WBC Intl silver lightweight strap
Super-middleweight: Zach Parker vs. TBA
Light-heavyweight, 8 rounds: Ezra Taylor vs. Joel McIntyre
6 rounds
Super-featherweight: Royston Barney-Smith vs. Ruslan Berchuk
Heavyweight: Moses Itauma vs. Amine Boucetta
Cruiserweight: Tommy Fletcher vs. TBA
Cruiserweight: Aloys Youmbi vs. Erik Nazaryan
Running order to be confirmed, fight card and opponents subject to change
Picture source: Getty Images
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