By Barry Holbrook: Joe Joyce will put his interim WBO heavyweight title on the line this Saturday night, April 15th, in a perilous twelve-round fight against the punching two-time Olympian Zhilei Zhang at the Copper Box Arena in London, England. Joyce vs. Zhang event will be shown on ESPN+, starting at 2:00 pm ET and on BT Sport.
The 2016 Olympic silver medalist Joyce (15-0, 14 KOs) will face the first big puncher of his six-year professional career against the 6’6″ Zhang (24-1-1, 19 KOs), who arguably should still be undefeated.
Joyce’s career on the line
If Joyce loses this fight, he can forget about challenging for a world title against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury or IBF, WBA & WBO champ Oleksandr Usyk.
Joyce’s advanced age will likely preclude him from getting a title shot if he gets beaten by Zhang, which is why this fight is so risky for the Juggernaut.
Zhang’s only defeat was a very questionable 12-round unanimous decision at the hands of Filip Hrvovic last August in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
When is the start time for Joyce vs. Zhang?
The Joyce-Zhang fight event will start at 2:00 pm ET. on ESPN+.
Joyce, 37, has a well-earned reputation for having a steel chin, allowing him to walk through the best shots from his opponents.
However, given that Joyce’s opposition as a professional has been fighters lacking punching power, we can’t know for certain whether he’ll hold up under the heavy bombardment from Zhang, who is on a different level than the guys that ‘The Juggernaut’ has faced thus far.
We know that Anthony Joshua hurt Joyce in the amateurs, which tells you he’s vulnerable against guys that can hit hard. Some would say that Zhang’s power is superior to Joshua’s.
Where to watch Joyce vs. Zhang?
The Joyce-Zhang fight will be shown on BT Sport in the UK and ESPN+ in the U.S. The fight will take place at the Copper Box Arena in London, England.
“Right now, with me being ranked so highly, I’ve got what people want, especially with the WBO interim. I’ve got to stay on my A-game and beat these guys like Zhilei Zhang,” said Joe Joyce to BT Sport Boxing.
“He’s southpaw, he’s 6’6″, same height, he can hit, and he showed fighting [Filip] Hrgovic. I thought that he could have got the decision,” Joyce said when asked what Zhang brings to the table for this fight on Saturday.
Joyce – Zhang card
Joe Joyce vs. Zhilei Zhang
Denzel Bentley vs. Kieran Smith
Sam Noakes vs. Karthik Kumar
Mikaela Mayer vs. Christina Linardatou
Sonny Ali vs. Richard Helm
Moses Itouma vs. Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko
“I’ve been doing sparring, and it’s been quite heavy duty. I started this camp early as well, so I’m at a good weight, a good shape.
“It brings out the best in me traveling to different places, putting myself in a different environment where I just focus on boxing,” Joyce said when asked how it benefits traveling to the U.S. to train ever there. “That’s what’s exciting and enjoyable for my career.
“Get some big fights,” said Joyce about him wanting to get some ‘big fights’ before he retires. “Ideally, beat Zhang and fight Fury would be ideal or Usyk.
When is Joyce vs. Zhang?
Joe Joyce will fight Zhilei Zhang this Saturday, April 15th, at the Copper Box Arena in London, England. The fight event has a start time of 2:00 pm ET.
“He’s very strong. He started boxing, so he can box,” said Joyce when asked about what it was like sparring with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. “He just needs to focus more on boxing. Phenomenal power. You definitely don’t want to get hit.
“It’s a different type of sport. Boxing is a little bit more refined, so it’s a little more difficult for UFC fighters if they’re boxing.
“I’m impatient, I don’t want to wait. That’s why I’m fighting these decent fights,” said Joyce.
