Joe Joyce admitted to underestimating Zhilei Zhang’s speed and accuracy in their previous bout on April 15 at Copper Box Arena in London. Joyce, who lost by a sixth-round technical knockout, was caught off guard by Zhang’s fast and precise straight left hand. The defeat cost Joyce his WBO interim title and his position as the mandatory challenger for one of Oleksandr Usyk’s championships. “I thought I would eventually get to him and tire him and then knock him out,” Joyce said. “But I didn’t realize how accurate and fast he was.”
Joyce, 38, has invoked his contractual right for an immediate rematch, scheduled for Saturday night at OVO Arena Wembley in London. To better prepare for the 40-year-old Zhang, Joyce underwent a different training regimen in Las Vegas, focusing on improving his defense and spending more time sparring with southpaws. “It’s different because the lead foot is right next to their lead foot and, you know, there’s completely different tactics than I’m used to,” Joyce said.
Zhang is slightly favored to win the rematch, but Joyce believes that his new training approach will make a difference this time. “Zhang is very experienced. He’s been at a high level in the amateurs. And also, the fight he had before against Filip Hrgovic kinda set him up nicely for a fight against me, which is quite similar. So, he’s had a lot more practice. And now I’ve had more practice and I’ll be in better form,” Joyce added.
The rematch will be the main event on a TNT Sports broadcast in the United Kingdom and Ireland, starting at 7 p.m. BST. In the United States, the fight will be streamed on ESPN+, with undercard coverage beginning at 2 p.m. EDT and 11 a.m. PDT. The bout promises to be a crucial moment for both fighters, as Joyce seeks redemption and Zhang aims to solidify his standing in the heavyweight division.
Image Credit: DAZN