Joe Joyce and Zhilei Zhang have exchanged some explosive words ahead of their hotly anticipated heavyweight dust up next month.
The two thudding punchers will trade blows at the Copper Box Arena on April 15, with Joyce’s WBO Interim world title on the line. As training camp continues, Zhang stopped by Joyce’s gym in Las Vegas to size up his opponent.
FACE-TO-FACE! 😮
Big Bang Zhilei Zhang interrupts an interview with @JoeJoyceBoxing 🥊#JoyceZhang | 15 April | BT Sport pic.twitter.com/NcjMDji3Qz
— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) March 15, 2023
Speaking on a face off hosted by IFL TV, Joyce was in no mood for pleasantries, insisting Zhang is going to get a “beating” on the night.
“I see that he’s come all the way over here, and he’s going to get a beating.”
“I believe that I’ll get ahead, knock him out and move on. But it’s going to be a great fight, it’s building very well and I can’t wait to get the gloves on, get in the ring and stare him down. Then when the bell rings, you’re going to see some action happening!”
“At the end of the day, the Juggernaut’s going to march on through.”
Although he was on the wrong end of the decision, many felt Zhang was hard done by not to get the victory against Filip Hrgovic in an IBF final eliminator on the undercard of Usyk vs Joshua 2 last summer.
And ‘Big Bang’ explained, in no uncertain terms, that he plans to build on that career best performance in destructive fashion.
“I’m coming to London to blow up a tank … I don’t care about if he’s fast or slow, I’m going to throw bombs!”
With a shot at whoever holds the WBO world heavyweight title all but guaranteed for the victor, the stakes could not be much higher in London next month.