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It feels like just yesterday, Zhilei Zhang was ripping up the script with a pair of emphatic stoppage victories in the English capital as the divisional landscape dramatically shifted again. Now, he faces another younger, ambitious and unbeaten heavyweight looking to announce himself among the super elite at his expense. So, I spoke to his trainer Shaun George for the inside track. Continue reading “Exclusive: Zhang’s trainer Shaun George talks lessons learned as Kabayel awaits”
Lawrence Okolie made fast work of overmatched former sparring partner Hussein Mohamed earlier this month with a first-round knockout win to produce a memorable Queensberry debut, though his trainer Joe Gallagher has told me they’re already eyeing a March or April return for a former two-weight world champion seeking greatness as the 32-year-old’s heavyweight foray ramps up. Continue reading “Okolie’s trainer Joe Gallagher: One more, then ready for the big heavyweight fights”
Having inflicted Filip Hrgovic’s first pro loss on the Matchroom vs. Queensberry 5v5 card in Riyadh on June 1, Daniel Dubois has now been upgraded to become the full IBF heavyweight world champion after undisputed king Oleksandr Usyk had an extension request rejected and vacated – allowing Dubois vs. Anthony Joshua – two former foes – to box for world honours in three months’ time. Continue reading “Usyk vacates IBF heavyweight title, Dubois upgraded to full champion before Joshua bout on Sept. 21 at Wembley”
Former unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua scored another stoppage win, this time making quick work of former UFC champion-turned-boxer Francis Ngannou in their 10-round main event on a night where his former foe Joseph Parker snatched the WBO interim heavyweight title – despite conceding two knockdowns against Joe Joyce’s conqueror Zhilei Zhang. Continue reading “Knockout Chaos: Joshua drops, stops Ngannou in R2 with destructive display”
Why haven’t the WBC stripped him? Just another money grab, wasting his prime years. Those are some of the phrases used to describe Fury-Ngannou before their Riyadh showdown this weekend and as fight week begins, the outside noise will pale into insignificance once the two heavyweights from differing disciplines do battle after their loaded undercard on Saturday night. Continue reading “Fury-Ngannou: However you feel about it all, their lucrative exhibition bout is here”
Zhilei Zhang had Joe Joyce’s number the first time, and stepped through the gears early on before producing an even quicker stoppage – this time more brutal – five months later in their heavyweight rematch to defend his WBO interim heavyweight championship against the Brit. It sets up lucrative bouts with the division’s elite names as he called out WBC titlist Tyson Fury post-fight. Continue reading “Zhang defends WBO interim world HW title with destructive R3 KO in Joyce rematch”
Zhilei Zhang ripped up the script in April, making a fool of those who overlooked him and snatched the WBO interim world heavyweight title from Joe Joyce on enemy territory. Now, the 40-year-old needs to do it again in their rematch to set up a seismic 2024 as bigger fights await Saturday’s winner, something he has taken into consideration with an enhanced training camp this time around. Continue reading “Zhang on motivation, making training developments and targeting Joyce’s eye”
Joe Joyce has had time to reflect on his first career defeat and as this weekend’s heavyweight rematch edges ever closer, the former WBO interim world champion is steadfast in wanting a return to the top table – but needs to right the wrongs from five months prior against Zhilei Zhang. Plenty was said about his weight for their maiden matchup, but what does the Juggernaut think?
Continue reading “Joyce on fluctuating weight, desire to improve and more before Zhang rematch”
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. Continue reading “Joe Joyce’s trainer Ismael Salas admits he too overlooked Zhang, ahead of rematch”
Zhilei Zhang took Joe Joyce’s best punches, beckoned him forward, and repeatedly stung the 37-year-old with a steady diet of left hands in what proved a commanding victory on away soil. Joyce’s right eye was closing, the fight stopped midway through R6, and a new WBO interim heavyweight champion has been sealed as the valiant Brit experienced his first professional defeat.
Continue reading “Zhang stuns Joyce with R6 TKO, crowned new WBO interim heavyweight champion”
Joe Joyce makes the first defence of his WBO interim heavyweight title tonight at the Copper Box Arena, against a similarly seasoned Chinese contender in Zhilei Zhang who has insisted he’ll leave London this weekend with some new hardware. It’s a high-risk matchup between two Olympic silver medallists, but Joyce wouldn’t have it any other way as he pursues the division’s top guns. Continue reading “Joyce welcomes jeopardy against Zhang as his world title pursuit continues tonight”
WBO interim heavyweight champion Joe Joyce faces another seismic test in his career this Saturday, headlining on BT Sport against China’s Zhilei Zhang. Elsewhere, Mikaela Mayer returns to action while Denzel Bentley defends his British middleweight title – all featured in Wednesday’s media workout. Click for more, to watch their individual videos at the Bronx Boxing Gym. Continue reading “WATCH: Joe Joyce, Zhilei Zhang, Mikaela Mayer and more in media workout before Saturday’s show”
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