Putney boxer 'will be back no questions' says promoter

Joe Joyce congratulates Zhilei Zhang after his win. Picture: Frank Warren

April 17, 2023

There was disappointment for Putney boxer Joe Joyce this Saturday night (15 April) in the Copper Box Arena as he lost his WBO Interim Heavyweight title to Zhilei Zhang.

In what was always going to be a challenging fight against the 20 stone Chinese fighter who had only suffered only one contentious defeat in his career, Joe got off to a slow start and a vulnerability to the southpaw’s straight left immediately became evident.

‘Big Bang’ Zhang had already caused some swelling above the champion’s right eye by the end of the first round and rocked him badly in the second.

Although Joe upped his work rate as the fight progressed and could have reasonably expected the larger man to tire, the swelling on the eye was getting worse. In round six, the ringside doctor, after examining the damage for the second time called the fight to an end as it was evident Joe had limited visibility. He advised the referee to stop the fight with no argument to the decision coming from Joe’s corner.

Joe was quick to congratulate his opponent who now looks set for a big money fight against one of the leading contenders for a World Heavyweight title. The win gives Zhang a mandatory fight against unified world champion, Oleksandr Usyk.

Boxing promoter Frank Warren said after the fight, “Two absolute warriors who deserve all the credit in the world. Joyce will be back no questions.

“Congratulations to Zhilei Zhang whose been an absolute credit to himself.”

The fight was always a risking one to take against such a formidable opponent for Joe even though he was widely tipped to win, but his team clearly felt he needed a tough challenge before he faced either Oleksandr Usyk or Tyson Fury.

Joe could still fight on as, at 37-years of age, he is not old for a heavyweight boxer, and a rematch with Zhang is still a possibility. However, he has a range of interests outside boxing which means there are other options open to him should he choose to hang up his gloves.

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