Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce will run it back on September 23 at London’s OVO Arena, Wembley.
Zhang (25-1-1, 20 KOs) is set defend his WBO Interim title against previous holder, Joyce (15-1, 14 KOs) in a repeat of their April 15 contest earlier this year at the Copper Box Arena.
Joyce entered the ring that night high off a career-best performance over Joseph Parker, and not many in the boxing space picked him to lose.
Zhang – who was coming off a controversial decision loss to Filip Hrgovic – upset those odds in style, baffling the hometown man from his southpaw stance and throwing a left hand that seemingly couldn’t miss.
The result was an increasingly swollen eye for Joyce – one that the ringside physician and referee decided had rendered him unable to continue in the sixth.
‘Big Bang’ left London as the interim champ well aware that the now-official rematch was likely to be activated despite pundits advising Joyce to take another fight instead and the fighter seemingly considering that option.
He officially activated his contractual second fight in early May, and said that he would perform better when the time comes. Zhang is double-confident, though, believing his opponent has made a mistake in coming back for more.
😤 Will Joyce gain his revenge and continue his path to glory or will Zhang go one step closer to ultimate Heavyweight glory?#ZhangJoyce | 23 September | Ticket Alerts: https://t.co/4p1iKWlGLipic.twitter.com/COKs9PXJJg
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) June 29, 2023
Even despite being a repeat of previous action, it’s welcome movement in the heavyweight division that has been allergic to announcing fights.
In terms of the wider schedule, the rematch may clash with Conor Benn’s ring return dependant on an upcoming UKAD verdict. Chris Eubank Jr is being targeted but as yet unconfirmed.
The winner will be free from contractual rematches and a bonafide mandatory for the WBO World title, currently held by Oleksandr Usyk.