Zhilei Zhang delivers on promise to end Joe Joyce sooner than the first one
British heavyweight Joe Joyce (15-2, 14KO) was sensationally knocked out in the third round by Chinese southpaw Zhilei Zhang (26-1-1, 21KO) in London, leaving his dream of securing a world-title shot in tatters and his career hangning in the balance.
Putney's Joyce once again struggled against the power of 'Big Bang' Zhang, 40 from Zhoukou, before a thunderous counter right hook floored the Londoner at Wembley's OVO Arena on Saturday, September 23.
The 38-year-old bravely rose to his feet on the count of 10 as referee Steve Gray waved off the contest.
Moments later, stunned Joyce was sat on his stool receiving oxygen.
The result comes five months after 40-year-old Zhang's shock sixth-round stoppage win over the previously undefeated Joyce after causing his right eye to swell to the point of being completely closed.
The Chinese boxer retains the WBO Interim title and mandatory challenger status to unified world champion Oleksandr Usyk, although he will have to wait his turn as IBF No.1 Filip Hrgovic, who defeated Zhang in 2022, is up first in the rotation.
"Like I said before the fight, it's going to end sooner than the first one," Zhang told TNT Sports.
"Joe, I like him, I respect him and I will let everyone witness Chinese power again."
A distraught Joyce left the ring without conducting a post-fight interview, as a jubilant Zhang celebrated with his team.
Joyce has now lost twice in a row in 17 professional outings, while Zhang extends his record to 25 wins, with one defeat and one draw.
Despite his chances of world title dreams now looking slim, there's still plenty of options available to Joyce such as domestic showdown with Anthony Joshua or a rematch with Daniel Dubois.
Repeat
After all the build-up to Saturday's rematch, it was a quiet opening round with neither man throwing anything of note.
The fight came alive in the second. Zhang landed a one-two combination before unleashing a ferocious straight left which pierced through Joyce's guard.
It was very much a case of repeat, rather than revenge. Just like the first fight, each time 'Big Bang' landed, Joyce looked staggered, hurt and uncomfortable.
Having weighed 22lbs lighter than Zhang in the first fight, Joyce came in at a career-heaviest 20st 1lb for rematch, but the added weight made no difference.
Joyce had started the third round well, with good footwork and movement. But a terrific counter right hook from Zhang, sweetly set up by a jab, ended proceedings.
The home fighter was stunned, looking helplessly at his team. He once again came unstuck against the hard-hitting southpaw, and looked a shadow of the fighter who knocked out 14 of his first 15 opponents.
Full Results
Zhilei Zhang KO-3 Joe Joyce
Pierce O'Leary UD-10 Kane Gardner
Anthony Yarde KO-2 Jorge Silva
Zach Parker RTD-7 Khalid Graidia
Ezra Taylor TKO-8 Joel McIntyre
Royston Barney-Smith PTS-6 Engel Gomez
Moses Itauma TKO-1 Amine Boucetta
Tommy Fletcher TKO-4 Alberto Tapia
Aloys Youmbi KO-1 Erik Nazaryan
Sean Noakes PTS-6 Lukasz Barabasz
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