Joe Joyce exercises his right to a rematch this Saturday evening at the OVO Arena in Wembley, as he attempts to right the wrongs from April, and regain the interim WBO heavyweight title against China’s Zhilei Zhang.
TNT Sports televise Zhang vs Joyce live in the UK.
Joyce (15-1, 14 KOs) was in pole position for a shot at the heavyweight crown, following a string of impressive wins, and prior to his meeting with Zhang (24-1-1, 20 KOs), he had knocked out Daniel Dubois in ten rounds, and stopped Carlos Takam as well Christian Hammer, before knocking out former WBO champion Joseph Parker in eleven in September 2022.
That set him up for a clash against the 40-year-old, who was coming off a contentious loss to Filip Hrgovic in a fight where he had the Croatian out on his feet several times before dropping a tight decision in Saudi Arabia.
Ahead of the first meeting at the Copper Box back in April, the general consensus was that ‘Big Bang’ Zhang was prone to running out of petrol, and the ‘Juggernaut’ would wear his man down.
What unfolded was quite the opposite, with the 38-year-old looking cumbersome and lacking snap in his punches, as well as looking drained and unable to land cleanly.
Zhang couldn’t miss with his punches, and the fight was eventually stopped in the sixth, with the Brit’s right eye too damaged for him to be able to continue.
Prediction: Joyce will need to make significant improvements in order to win the rematch, but this contest reminds me of when David Price sought redemption against Tony Thompson, only to suffer the same fate as before. I expect Zhang to again outlast the Londoner, and score a stoppage somewhere around halfway.
Yarde returns
Anthony Yarde (23-3, 22 KOs) was due to meet Ricky Summers in his comeback from defeat against Artur Beterbiev in January, but Summers withdrew to meet Ben Whittaker later this year.
The 32-year-old is still awaiting an opponent to be confirmed for his return.
Parker looks to bounce back
Zach Parker (22-1, 16 KOs) is looking to get back into world title contention after retiring with a broken hand against John Ryder last November, and the Derbyshire man should take his ten rounder at super middleweight against Khalid Graidia (10-12-4, 2 KOs) on the scorecards.
Graidia (10-12-4, 2 KOs) took Dan Azeez the full eight rounds in defeat in his last contest.
Remaining Undercard
Much is expected of Pierce O’Leary (12-0, 7 KOs), with the Irishman living up to his ‘Big Bang’ moniker more often than not, just like Zhang in the main event.
The 28-year-old should defend his WBC International super lightweight title with another inside the distance win, this time against Kane Gardner (16-2, 7 KOs).
Sam Noakes (11-0, 11 KOs) is building quite the reputation for himself, and the Maidstone man can make a fourth successful defence of his WBC International Silver lightweight title with another early win, this time against Spain’s Carlos Perez (19-7-2, 2 KOs).
💥 The Lightweight Knockout King returns! No opponent of @SamNoakes3 has heard the final bell.#ZhangJoyce | 23.09.23 | 🎟 via https://t.co/qrdxqhUZox pic.twitter.com/sdyE72Eon9
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) September 4, 2023
The rest of the bill is prospect-heavy.
Ezra Taylor (6-0, 4 KOs) boxes over eight rounds for the second time, and ‘The Cannon’ can bank a points win at light heavyweight against Joel McIntyre (20-7, 5 KOs).
💥 A young explosive Cruiserweight, @tommyfletcher0 is coming!#ZhangJoyce | 23.09.23 | 🎟 via https://t.co/qrdxqhUZox pic.twitter.com/MhVh61bUc8
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) September 14, 2023
In six round action, Moses Itauma (4-0, 2 KOs) continues his education, and the highly-touted heavyweight may need the duration to take care of Amine Boucetta (7-8).
Also at heavyweight, Mark Tibbs-trained cruiserweight Tommy Fletcher (5-0, 4 KOs) can send his fans home happy with another early win, this time against Alberto Tapia (3-4, 2 KOs).
Aloys Junior (4-1, KOs) is on a run of four straight early wins, and he should make that five in his cruiserweight contest against Erik Nazaryan (29-33-4, 22 KOs), while Sean Noakes (5-0, 3 KOs) should make it a family double by taking a points win at welterweight against Lukasz Barabasz (2-8, 1 KO).
