Zhilei Zhang produced a knockout of the year contender to put a full stop on his two-fight rivalry with Joe Joyce.
The Brit encountered all the same problems against Zhang the second time around in London, and was visibly wary before being rocked in the second round.
In the third, ‘Big Bang’ lived up to his name and produced a short right hook that shut Joyce’s lights out, at least for a few seconds. The big man from Britain valiantly stood on ten, but the fight was well and truly over.
Zhilei Zhang KNOCKS OUT Joe Joyce! ? ?#ZhangJoyce pic.twitter.com/jfvUnFBvkg
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) September 23, 2023
Check out some immediate reactions from the boxing world…
Chris Eubank Jr
As a man who knows first hand how hard it is mentally & physically to come off a defeat & go straight into a rematch. Gota give all the respect to @JoeJoyceBoxing for getting back in there & putting it all on the line for a shot at glory & redemption. Very few people understand…
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) September 23, 2023
Peter Fury
The better man won Zang 2nd time no dispute. Big joe game as they come needs maximum credit getting back in again, Boxing ? these type of fights we need to see more of.
— peter fury (@peterfury) September 23, 2023
Gamal Yafai
Gutted for Joe Joyce, always been a nice guy, probably too nice. Hope he’s made a right few quid ??
— Gamal Yafai (@Gamal_yafai) September 23, 2023
Dave Coldwell
Fuck me.
What a shot.— Dave Coldwell (@davidcoldwell) September 23, 2023
Barry Jones
All that moving his hands around to keep him relaxed and have a better flow, just gave Zhang a bigger and easier target to hit. Joyce’s hands were almost never protecting the chin.
— Barry Jones (@BarryJonesBox) September 23, 2023
Paul Smith
I think it’s time to retire for Joe Joyce. Unfortunately, when your chin goes, the fitness doesn’t matter. He has to take two to land one and is too long in the tooth to adapt. If the chin isn’t there, not much else matters in the heavyweight division. Father Time is undefeated. https://t.co/yg4VrNq6GX
— Paul Smith (@PaulSmithJnr) September 23, 2023
Teddy Atlas
Joyce through career was ‘harder to miss than hit”, & it catches up to u. I said on our Podcast he looked like ‘shot’ fighter. He is. #ZhangJoyce
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) September 23, 2023
Bottom line and lesson for younger fighters here is; no matter how tough & strong u r, u need to be taught defense!! #ZhangJoyce
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) September 23, 2023
Ariel Helwani
What a shot. That is a devastating shot in the moment and to Joyce’s career, sadly. Zhang is a problem. https://t.co/I6zDRXdZl7
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 23, 2023
Dan Rafael
Bullshit. Just because he lost twice to Zhang does not erase his excellent performances and resume before that. https://t.co/SnrTmXXeZ1
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) September 23, 2023
Sam Jones
So hard to sit and watch that. Joe is one of the best most genuine human beings you could ever meet. I’m so so gutted for him. Just doesn’t look the same.
— Sam Jones (@mrsamjones88) September 23, 2023
