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Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang Weigh In: The Juggernaut Surprises On The Scales

Written by Kerr Ferguson on 14th April 2023.

Joe Joyce Zhilei Zhang Weigh In

Joe Joyce has shed some weight since his victory over Joseph Parker as he prepares to put his undefeated record and status in the heavyweight division on the line against China’s Zhilei Zhang.

Joyce (15-0, 14 KOs) tipped the scales at 256lb – a weight he hasn’t seen before a fight since his decision victory over Bryant Jennings in 2019.

He was just a couple of pounds heavier when he faced Daniel Dubois, but a big 15 pound difference from his last outing against Joseph Parker. ‘The Juggernaut’ said that he wasn’t worried about his weight, but admitted that it would be easier to move around the ring. It certainly has him looking the part – the most defined he’s looked before a fight in some years.

The lighter Joyce will face Zhilei ‘Big Bang’ Zhang (24-1-1, 19 KOs), who weighed in at 278lb – just one pound higher than his fight against Filip Hrgovic, and matching his career highest which came against Andrii Rudenko back in 2019.

Zhang told BT Sport that he wanted an early knockout.

Other than the 22lb weight disparity, the men are well-matched. Both a recorded 6′ 6″ with Joyce edging out the reach by a couple of inches. Zhang’s southpaw stance may present a puzzle for the home fighter, but it’s one he’s keen to solve should he face Oleksandr Usyk or Tyson Fury in the future.

Joyce’s WBO Interim Title is on the line. Many in the sport figure the belt to not mean much, but the position it carries is important. The winner of this fight is knocking on the door of a title shot against Usyk, and they’d challenge for his two other belts at the same time.

So, in theory, Joyce or Zhang is just two fights away from becoming the unified world heavyweight champion.

Now that all the boxes are ticked, all eyes move to London’s Copper Box Arena for an old school heavyweight slug fest that will be a test of chins, will and power. UK fans can tune in on BT Sport.