Zhilei Zhang vs Joe Joyce II

Zhilei Zhang vs. Joe Joyce II, billed as An Eye for An Eye, was a professional boxing match contested on 23 September 2023 for the WBO interim heavyweight title.

An Eye for An Eye
Date23 September 2023
VenueWembley Arena, Wembley, London
Title(s) on the lineWBO interim heavyweight title
Tale of the tape
Boxer Zhilei Zhang Joe Joyce
Nickname "Big Bang" "Juggernaut"
Hometown Zhoukou, Henan, China London, England
Pre-fight record 25–1–1 (20 KOs) 15–1 (14 KOs)
Age 40 years, 4 months 38 years
Height 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)[1] 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)[2]
Weight 287+1⁄4 lb (130 kg) 281+1⁄4 lb (128 kg)
Style Southpaw Orthodox
Recognition WBO
Interim Heavyweight Champion
The Ring
No. 4 Ranked Heavyweight
TBRB
No. 5 Ranked Heavyweight		 WBO
No. 7 Ranked Heavyweight
The Ring/TBRB
No. 6 Ranked Heavyweight
Result
Zhang defeated Joyce via Round 3 KO.

Background

Following Zhang's victory in the first bout, there were reports stating that a bout between himself and Tyson Fury were under discussion.[3] On 29 June an immediate rematch was announced for 23 September at Wembley Arena for the same title.[4]

The fight

Zhang dominated the fight, stopping Joyce in the final seconds of the 3rd round with a right hook that had left the Brit face down on the canvas giving Zhang knockout victory.[5]

Aftermath

Speaking after the bout Zhang called out Tyson Fury, saying ringside: “To the audience, I want to ask you a question: Do you want to see me shut Tyson Fury up?”[6]

Fight card
Weight class vs Method Round Time Notes
Main Card
Heavyweight Zhilei Zhang def Joe Joyce KO 3 (12) 3:07 Note 1
Super lightweight Pierce O'Leary def Kane Gardner UD 10 Note 2
Light heavyweight Anthony Yarde def Jorge Silva KO 2 (10) 2:07
Super middleweight Zach Parker def Khalid Graidia RTD 7 (10) 3:00
Light heavyweight Ezra Taylor def Joel McIntyre TKO 8 (8) 2:59
Heavyweight Moses Itauma def Amine Boucetta TKO 1 (6) 1:33
Super featherweight Royston Barney-Smith def Engel Gomez PTS 6
Cruiserweight Aloys Youmbi def Erik Nazaryan KO 1 (6) 0:38
Cruiserweight Tommy Fletcher def Alberto Tapia TKO 6 (6) 1:28
Welterweight Sean Noakes def Lukasz Barabasz PTS 6 1:28

^Note 1 For WBO interim heavyweight title
^Note 2 For WBC International Super Light Title

Broadcasting
Country Broadcaster
 United KingdomTNT Sports
 United StatesESPN+

References
  1. "BoxRec: Zhilei Zang". BoxRec. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  2. "BoxRec: Joe Joyce". BoxRec. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  3. "Tyson Fury could be offered lucrative fight against Zhilei Zhang who is now 'a superstar in China'". Sky Sports. 22 April 2023.
  4. "Joe Joyce to rematch Zhilei Zhang on September 23 following first professional defeat". Sky Sports. 29 June 2023.
  5. "Relive Zhang's dramatic win over Joyce in rematch". BBC Sport. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  6. PA Media (23 September 2023). "Joe Joyce beaten in brutal third-round Wembley knockout by Zhilei Zhang". theguardian.com. The Guardian. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
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