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.
| Date | 23 September 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Venue | Wembley Arena, Wembley, London | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Title(s) on the line | WBO interim heavyweight title | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tale of the tape | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 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 Kingdom | TNT Sports |
| United States | ESPN+ |
References
- "BoxRec: Zhilei Zang". BoxRec. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
- "BoxRec: Joe Joyce". BoxRec. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
- "Tyson Fury could be offered lucrative fight against Zhilei Zhang who is now 'a superstar in China'". Sky Sports. 22 April 2023.
- "Joe Joyce to rematch Zhilei Zhang on September 23 following first professional defeat". Sky Sports. 29 June 2023.
- "Relive Zhang's dramatic win over Joyce in rematch". BBC Sport. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- 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.