Joe Joyce lost his WBO Interim Heavyweight title to China’s Zhilei Zhang via sixth round stoppage.
‘The Juggernaut’s fate was set early on when his eye began to swell up and close shut. It was helped along by Zhang’s left hand – a solid, punishing shot that could not miss the target, especially as it became bigger towards the halfway stage.
Joe Joyce's eye 😳#JoyceZhangpic.twitter.com/DNfNP2Iq75
— Top Rank Boxing (@EhsanUphaq1) April 15, 2023
The ringside physician was invited by referee Howard Foster to examine the damage at the start of the sixth. Between them, they decided to let the fight go on, but he took a second look not long after and Foster waved the contest off.
Whether Joyce could still see out of it or not, it was there to be hit over and over, and things were only set to get much worse.
The injury was reminiscent of what Joyce inflicted on Daniel Dubois in their domestic clash back in 2020. Joyce’s jab was the star of the show, and punished the inexperienced Dubois throw ten rounds until he took a knee and the fight was stopped.
It was confirmed in the aftermath that the young man had sustained a fractured eye socket, and fans were worried that Joyce may have picked up the same against ‘Big Bang’ Zhang.
Thankfully, as reported by IFL TV’s Umar Ahmed, the hospital trip post-fight was confirmed to be precautionary and revealed no fractures.
Have just heard from @JoeJoyceBoxing’s team that all checks at the hospital last night went well & there are no fractures in his eye 🙏#JoyceZhang
— Umar (@Umar_iFL) April 16, 2023
It opens the door for a speedy recovery and return for Joyce, but there are questions as to whether or not he enacts his rematch clause against Zhang.
Despite showing good heart as always, Joyce seemed lost with the Chinese fighter’s southpaw style – something that doesn’t bode well for a second fight or a sought after title shot against likes of Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk.
Joyce is said to be considering all options with his team before making a decision.