Joe Joyce (15-1-0, 14 KO) wants to take back what is his. The British lost his interim World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight title to China’s Zhilei Zhang (25-1-1, 20 KOs) via sixth-round TKO at London’s Copper Box Arena in mid-April. He has activated the rematch clause and they will face each other again September 23 at the OVO Arena in Wembley with the title at stake.
Joe Joyce did not expect what happened at the OVO Arena last April. The Briton, who arrived undefeated and with the interim WBO heavyweight belt hanging from his shoulder, signed his first defeat. The Chinese Zhilei Zhang, a veteran with experience in the ring, prevailed by TKO in the sixth round to snatch the title after a harsh punishment that he closed his eye with his powerful left.
The British arrived with good feelings to the fight. He was coming off winning the belt by 11th-round KO from Joseph Parker (32-3-0, 22 KOs) and remained undefeated, with all of his wins coming before the bell rang. He had even stated that he looked better than Anthony Joshua (25-3-0, 22 KO) and was aiming for the world title. Therefore, the fall was greater.
Zhang was coming off a loss. The Chinese fell by unanimous decision against the Croatian Filip Hrgovic (15-0-0, 12 KO) in a fight that was a real war. He was not an easy opponent and he showed it in the ring by imposing a harsh punishment on who, at that time, was the interim champion of the division. Joyce activated the rematch clause to try to recover her belt and she already has a date to do so. They will meet again on September 23 at the OVO Arena in Wembley., and the British will be more cautious this time. the same Tyson Fury (33-0-1, 24 KO, WBC heavyweight champion) has offered to spar with him so he can prepare himself in the best way for the fight.