Joe Joyce will jump straight back in with Zhilei Zhang on September 23, with revenge crucial for the Brit if he is to have any aspirations of becoming world heavyweight champion.
Zhang sprang a huge upset earlier this year and became the first man to defeat Joyce as a professional when the ringside doctor advised referee Howard Foster to wave the contest off due to damage to ‘The Juggernaut’s eye.
Former undisputed heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson has given his two cents on Joyce’s chances against Zhang again – and he isn’t holding out much hope.
Though Tyson told Pro Boxing Fans that he is fond of Joyce, he doesn’t envisage him reversing the result with ‘Big Bang’ at Wembley Arena next month.
“I like Joe Joyce, I hope he wins. But I don’t think he will.”
The WBO interim world title will once again be on the line at in London, meaning the victor will be in line for a shot at the full belt in the not too distant future.
There had been speculation over the spring that Zhang was in talks to take on WBC champion Tyson Fury, however Joyce had no interest in accepting step aside money and activated a contractual rematch clause for another crack at ‘Big Bang.’
The Zhoukou native’s southpaw backhand proved to be far too much back in April for Joyce, who has reportedly brought in a host of high level lefties to try and equip himself better this time around.
Now 37, another defeat would surely spell the end for any world title ambitions Joyce may have.