At Wembley Arena in London, UK, boxing fans were treated to a thrilling rematch on Saturday, broadcasted over ESPN+ and promoted by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions.
The main event featured 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist and current WBO Interim Heavyweight champion Zhilei “Big Bang” Zhang (26-1-1, 21 KOs) taking on former 2016 Olympic Silver Medalist and WBO Interim Heavyweight contender Joe “Juggernaut” Joyce (15-2, 14 KOs). Zhang stopped Joyce at 3:07 of the third round in a scheduled 12-round bout. The first round saw both fighters cautious, primarily using jabs. Zhang rocked Joyce with a lead left in the second round, and Joyce retaliated with a combination. However, Zhang's left in the final seconds left Joyce stunned.
Watch the official fight highlights: Watch
The co-main event featured WBC International Silver Super Lightweight champion Pierce “Big Bang” O’Leary (13-0, 7 KOs) defeating Kane “Sugar Kane” Gardner (16-3, 7 KOs) over 10 rounds. O’Leary was cut over the left eye in the fifth round but managed to secure a decisive victory with scores of 100-90 and 99-92 twice.
In the undercard, Zach Parker (23-1, 17 KOs) stopped Khalid Graidia (10-13-4, 2 KOs) at the end of the seventh round in a scheduled 10-round bout. Light Heavyweight Ezra “The Cannon” Taylor (7-0, 5 KOs) stopped Joel “El Toro” McIntyre (20-8, 5 KOs) at 2:59 of the eighth and final round. Also Heavyweight Moses “Enriko” Itauma (5-0, 3 KOs) stopped Amine “The Beast” Boucetta (7-9, 0 KOs) at 1:33 of the first round in a scheduled six-round bout. Itauma had Boucetta down twice before the referee called a halt to the contest. Light Heavyweight Anthony Yarde (23-3, 22 KOs) defeated Jorge “Gentleman” Silva (22-8, 12 KOs) at 2:07 of the second round in a scheduled 10-round bout. The first two rounds resembled a sparring session, with Silva proving to be a mismatch for Yarde.
Watch the official Yarde vs. Silva fight highlights: Watch
In the Super Featherweight division, southpaw Royston Barney-Smith (7-0, 3 KOs) defeated Engel “El Cohete” Gomez (8-18-1, 4 KOs) over six rounds. Welterweight Sean Noakes (6-0, 3 KOs) defeated Lukasz Barabasz (2-9, 1 KOs) over six rounds with a score of 59-54. Heavyweight Tommy “The Norfolk Nightmare” Fletcher (6-0, 5 KOs) stopped Alberto Tapia (3-5, 2 KOs) at 1:28 of the fourth round in a scheduled six-round bout. Tapia was down five times before his corner threw in the towel.
Image Credit: Queensberry Promotions