Lightning strikes twice as Joe Joyce is stunned by Zhilei Zhang's Chinese power again
It was a 'Repeat' and not 'Revenge' on Saturday night in Wembley, as Zhilei Zhang (26-1-1, 21KO) stopped Joe Joyce (15-2, 14KO) once again in their highly anticipated rematch fight at the Ovo Arena, live on TNT Sports.
"Big Bang" shocked the "Juggernaut" last April with a commanding performance that saw him completely close the right eye of the durable Londoner to stop the contest in round six. Five months later and he repeated the result but in even quicker time and far more conclusively with a third-round knockout.
With his invincibility shattered and world title dreams distanced, many are wondering what could be next for the Putney puncher.
Joyce himself has already dismissed any rumours of retirement straight after the fight, "This is not it for me so there's plenty more, got plenty left in the tank. Just disappointed because I got myself into position I was and then it was obviously a risk too far and I paid the price. I'm just gonna have to have a bit of time off, reflect and watch the fight back and come back new and improved."
Reactions
Chris Eubank Jr. Two-time IBO World champion
"As a man who knows first hand how hard it is mentally and physically to come off a defeat and go straight into a rematch, gotta give all the respect to Joe Joyce for getting back in there and putting it all on the line for a shot at glory and redemption. Very few people understand how hard it is to do what you did tonight.
"Zhang's a hell of a fighter, congratulations to him, and keep your head up Joe, you will be back."
Tyson FuryWBC World heavyweight champion
"He's not like Oleksandr Usyk – a feather duster, jibbing and jabbing around the ring. He's a very dangerous man, very dangerous."
Frank WarrenHall of Fame promoter
"Everybody has a bogey in boxing, I don't care who they are, and this guy is obviously Joe's bogey. It's going to be tough or him, as you say, his age, it's tough but we'll see what happens. You know, it's a knockout and that's a big setback. There's a couple of domestic fights if he chooses to fight, he might want to retire, I don't know. But whatever he does, he does.
"In the meantime, Zhang, we'll be looking to get him out as soon as possible. He is promoted by Queensberry and we'll have him out again soon and go from there.
"We'll see what occurs but he is the mandatory for the WBO, and the WBO title holder is Usyk. But who knows? [Tyson Fury] is a fight maybe we might do.
"This guy [Zhang], for me, he's old but he's a tough sod. He can punch, box, and even the loss on his record, I thought he won that fight against Filip Hrgovic.
"He's got to be in the top three or four [in the world now]."
Carl Froch Three-time World champion
"Joyce has got nowhere to go and does he actually want anywhere to go in the pro game at this stage of his career, at this time in his life.
"Two back-to-back defeats, and the last defeat there was absolutely crushing, and I just think that could be the end of him."
Eddie HearnMatchroom Boxing promoter
"He's 38. He's taken a huge amount of punishment in sparring, in fights. His greatest asset was his ability to take punches and walk through them – he can't do it anymore.
"Honestly, he shouldn't be boxing. He's had a great career, he should've been Olympic champion, he won the Interim world heavyweight title and I'm sure he's made alot of money as well."
Tim RicksonBBN Editor
"I thought Joyce was brave to get straight back in there with a huge giant that hurt him so badly just five months earlier, but then at his advanced age and the stage he's at in his career, he kind of had no choice but to go straight into the rematch really. Paulie Malignaggi suggested he should have had a tune-up fight first, but I don't think he had time to.
"I could see that he came back with different tactics, moving his head more, pawing with his jab constantly in an attempt to upset Zhang's rhythm and prevent him from being able to set up his shots so easily. I wasn't sure about the Philly shell he tried to use, keeping the right hand by his chin, I don't think he suited it and I have to question how you can learn a different stance so late on in your career, but it was obviously there to block the backhand left that did all the damage in the first fight.
"As soon as Zhang got his feet into mid-range, he landed on Joyce with ease, which led to the right hook that dropped him and stopped the fight. The way he set up that shot with the throwaway backhand to the body was sublime. Zhang is a seriously good heavyweight, very quick for such a big guy.
"Boxing fans are fickle and when any fighter suffers a loss, they immediately call for them to retire; the reactions to Anthony Joshua's defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr. immediately springs to mind. However, in this case, Joyce's advanced age has to come into question. At 38, two back to back losses is going to be extremely hard to come back from.
"Personally, I hope he continues, there's always options available, such as the Daniel Dubois rematch, who is also coming off a loss. There's domestic showdowns with Anthony Joshua, for example; there's the Dillian Whyte, that fight would easily fill The O2, so would a fight against Dereck Chisora, who always brings excitement; Martin Bakole is another option. Internationally, there's a rematch with Joseph Parker, who might fancy his chances more next time, plus there's all the up-and-coming prospects like Fabio Wardley and Johnny Fisher, but that could demote him into a gatekeeper role, which he wouldn't like.
"My preference would be the Dubois rematch, but would Joyce want to go back and fight someone he's already beaten at perhaps an even bigger risk than before? Dubois has been world champion since, fought at the highest level against Oleksandr Usyk, but he's still fragile, so Joyce may not regard him as a risk. Great fight, if it happens. There will be lots of interest in it.
"Despite the setbacks, Joyce is still only ever going to be one fight away from the big-time. Plus, with the world titles all held up, he will be a big name for anyone that's waiting in line. For example, IBF mandatory Filip Hrgovic could choose Joyce while he awaits his shot at Oleksandr Usyk. Andy Ruiz Jr. is looking for a fight, so is Deontay Wilder after the Anthony Joshua talks stalled.
"I am not telling Joyce to retire yet, but if he chooses to then it will be for the right reasons, so I wish him well whatever he decides to do. But it doesn't sound like he's ready to hang up the gloves yet."
Ashley TheophaneWorld title challenger
"Change coaching team. Still some good fights out there for him Get an easy one, then Daniel Dubois again. Good test for both men."
Who next for Joe Joyce?
Fans give their preference on who they want to see Joe Joyce fight next:
"It'll be [Derek] Chisora, said it last night after the fight."
"Two Chisora fights then the [Dillian] Whyte one is the normal route at this point isn't it?"
"Chisora, maybe Ortiz, or he could become a gatekeeper for British talent like [Fabio] Wardley etc."
"He needs to fight someone who will build back his credibility. Why not step up to ight Deontay Wilder? Joyce is nearing 40 and time is running out. He needs to grab them [big fights] while he still has some marketability."
"Has to be fights that are hard now against prospects, maybe [Dillian] Whyte."
"At 38, Joe Joyce needs about two to three fights in a year before facing a top heavyweight fighter. A fight with Derek Chisora, Dillian Whyte and Luis Ortiz are just few fighters that would prepare him to move back into contention."
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