In an attempt for revenge over Zhilei Zhang, Joe Joyce was knocked out cold by an incredible right hook.
The rematch took place just five months on from their first encounter, in which ‘Big Bang’ Zhang peppered the Brit’s eye with straight shots to force a stoppage in the sixth.
Momentum was clearly with the man from China again in last night’s rematch, and he delivered on his promise to win even earlier this time around. After being wobbled in the second, Joyce was caught clean in round three.
He toppled to the canvas face first and, despite valiantly standing after the ten count, it was all over. Zhang retains his WBO Interim title and moves ahead, whilst Joyce faces a long road back to the top.
It’s something former cruiserweight world champion, Tony Bellew, is advising against. Speaking on social media post-fight, he said Joyce’s ‘greatest asset’ was finally no more.
“So sad to see his greatest asset finally go mate. Myself and Ade discussed this on our show and I said he wouldn’t see 6 if it was gone! Such a shame as I hoping it was a one off but obviously not, I don’t think he should continue now mate [to be honest.]”
So sad to see his greatest asset finally go mate.. myself and Ade discussed this on our show and I said he wouldn’t see 6 if it was gone! Such a shame as I hoping it was a one off but obviously not, I don’t think he should continue now mate tbh. 😔
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) September 24, 2023
Joyce is 38-years-old and now without the fabled durability that saw him through most of his career – it’s for that reason that Bellew won’t be alone in his advice.