China’s Zhang Zhilei knocks out Briton Joe Joyce in round three of boxing heavyweight rematch
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LONDON – Chinese heavyweight Zhang “Big Bang” Zhilei knocked out Britain’s Joe Joyce in the third round of their rematch at London’s Wembley Arena on Saturday.
The 40-year-old Zhang sent his 38-year-old opponent sprawling to the canvas with a huge right hook to his jaw. Joyce got back on his feet and received oxygen after the referee waved off the fight.
Zhang, the 2008 Beijing Olympics silver medallist who stopped Joyce in six rounds last April at London's Copper Box, is the WBO's mandatory challenger for Ukraine's WBO, IBO, IBF and WBA champion Oleksandr Usyk.
“Like I said before the fight, it’s going to end sooner than the first one,” Zhang, now with a record of 25 wins with one defeat and one draw, told the crowd through a translator.
Joyce, who was much heavier than last time, could still not bear Zhang’s heavy punches. He struggled in the second round before falling to the floor in the next round.
“He was not stronger after gaining weight,” said Zhang. “On the contrary, he had more loopholes. His footwork was slower.”
“I hope everyone enjoyed my performance,” he added, before asking the fans whether they wanted to see him “shut Tyson Fury up”.
Joe Joyce could not bear Zhang Zhilei’s heavy punches.
Britain’s “Gypsy King” Fury is the holder of the WBC world heavyweight belt.
“I’m going to (take) a bit of time... reflect and review where I went wrong,” Joyce told BBC Sport post-fight.
“I’ve taken losses in the amateurs. I prefer to win obviously but I feel OK. I still feel fresh and that I can do some more sparring and rounds.
“I’m feeling OK. I’ll just have to lick my wounds and come back stronger.”
Asked if he could call time on his career, Joyce responded: “No chance. I’m feeling good, I’m feeling OK. It’s not the end of the world. I can rebuild and come back.”
On his opponent, the Briton said: “He’s a southpaw which is awkward but he’s a very good southpaw,” Joyce said. “(Zhang) is also an Olympic silver medallist and probably avoided for a reason.
“There’s plenty of learning to do. He’s a tough fighter. Maybe it was a risk too far.” REUTERS, XINHUA
