David Haye Reveals The Advice He Gave Joe Joyce Ahead Of Zhang Rematch

Kristan Caryl
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David Haye Reveals The Advice He Gave Joe Joyce Ahead Of Zhang Rematch

Joe Joyce has his chance at immediate redemption this weekend when he takes on Zhilei Zhang for a second time following his knockout loss in April, and former heavyweight champion David Haye has shared some advice with his fellow Brit.

Joyce looked unable to avoid the straight left hands of big Chinese southpaw Zhang in their first fight. Eventually, he sustained so much damage to his eye the referee had to stop the fight, leaving Joyce with his first professional defeat.

Speaking to TalkSport, Haye addressed some people’s concerns that Joyce was too light in the first fight – something he has rectified by coming in 25lbs heavier and at a career biggest.

“I don’t believe it was anything to do with his weight, I believe it was a tactical reason.”

He then revealed the one bit of advice he gave Joyce, and it won’t surprise anyone who saw the fight.

“I had a good conversation with Joe Joyce and said to him you’ve got to move that head, baby. You’ve got to move that head side to side.”

Haye then advised Joyce to use some of the athleticism he has shown in the ring before when doing backflips, summersaults and capoeira.

“He looked big, stiff, and slow [in that first fight], but he’s not. He’s got good reflexes but he chose for some reason not to use this God-given gift. Hopefully, he’s taken on board everything his team and family and friends have said to him and we’ll see a new fresh version of him.”

The fight takes place at the OVO Arena Wembley with the prize being Zhang’s WBO Interim title and likely a shot at the full title sometime soon.

Kristan has been writing about music and sport for 20 years. He’s done cover features for the most influential music magazines on the planet, written books about the world’s top DJs and most celebrated clubs, interviewed footballing heroes and profiled Tour de France legends. He joined Boxing Social in the summer of 2023 as a news and feature writer.

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