Frank Warren has moved to dispel reports that a fight between Joe Joyce and Zhang Zhilei is a ‘done deal’.
BoxingScene previously broke the news that ‘The Juggernaut’ would take on ‘Big Bang’ at the 02 Arena in London on April 15th.
However, Joyce’s promoter and head of Queensberry promotions, Frank Warren, told Pro Boxing Fans that no deal had been finalised:
Not at the moment. There is no point saying it’s done until everything is done. All we do then is, it falls apart, I’ve done that before, saying, ‘Oh I think we’ve got it done’ and then it doesn’t happen.
We’ll wait until whatever we’re doing is signed and sealed.
Although Warren says the deal is not done, it would appear that is the fight they are working towards and it’s certainly a clash that has captured the imagine of the public.
In 2022, Joyce made a breakthrough in the elite ranks of the division, cementing his status as a top contender with his destructive 11th round knockout of former world champion Joseph Parker.
British fans may recognise the name of Zhang, as he recently had a dramatic fight with Filip Hrgovic on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua II. Despite many believing he deserved the win, “Big Bang” ultimately lost in a close unanimous decision to Hrgovic.
Both Joyce and Zhang are known for their powerful punches and never backing down, so if the fight does get signed, fans in London this spring can expect an action-packed night.
Joyce is in prime position for a potential undisputed match with the winner of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk, yet seems willing to face a dangerous opponent to keep himself busy in the first half of 2023.
While he enters the contest as the underdog, Zhang will see Joyce as a perfect chance to surge himself back into world title contention.