Joe Joyce has released a statement following his loss to China’s Zhilei Zhang.
Joyce lost his WBO Interim title, mandatory position for a shot at Oleksandr Usyk and undefeated record all by the left hand of ‘Big Bang’ Zhang.
The fight, in front of a packed Copper Box Arena in London , went six rounds before referee Howard Foster, with the help of the ringside doctor, waved it off.
Joyce’s eye was bulbous after taking stiff shots from Zhang all night – the southpaw style apparently baffling him and his old tactic of walking through shots finally failing. It was a TKO for 39-year-old Zhang, who screamed ‘Chinese power’ down the camera lens.
After it was confirmed that Joyce hadn’t suffered any breaks or fractures – the result of a good stoppage – he took to social media to address people who were ‘writing him off.’
“Before you all [write] me off, I’m okay, just got a bruised eye. I think I’ll be ok, as fights go, I’m in good health. Not a great performance however, but I’ll go back to the drawing board and have to improve.
Zhang was the better fight on the night, but I still think I can beat him even though he’s a strong contender.”
— Joe Joyce (@JoeJoyceBoxing) April 17, 2023
It was confirmed quickly after the bout that there was a rematch clause in the Brit’s favour, and that his promoter, Queensberry, had options on Zhang’s next moves even if that wasn’t a second bout.
Joyce seemed tentative in the ring, suggesting he may want to take a fight in between. It’s a conundrum that has split opinions amongst fans and pundits, and a decision that will seriously affect the rest of his heavyweight campaign.