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Zhilei Zhang-Joe Joyce Weigh In: Both Fighters Come In Huge At Career Heaviest

Written by Kerr Ferguson on 22nd September 2023.

Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce Weigh In

Joe Joyce has kept his promise to come in heavier ahead of his high-stakes rematch with Zhilei Zhang, but he’s still outweighed by his opponent.

The Chinese heavyweight beat the Brit within six rounds last time out in April, and Joyce’s decision to run it back straight away is either commendable or the wrong choice, depending on who’s asked.

Regardless of opinions, he’s secured a shot at winning back the WBO Interim Heavyweight title, and thus the number one spot to face champion Oleksandr Usyk down the line.

A big talking point ahead of their first meeting was Joyce coming in close to his career lightest weight. He shed almost 15lbs for the fight after an excellent showing against Joseph Parker.

Taking to the scales today in London, ‘The Juggernaut’ posted up 281lbs – a career heaviest by an incredible 10 pounds. He said he has taken ‘constructive criticism’ to come in big. That’s 25lbs in five months.

Zhang – who weighed a joint career highest of 278 for the first encounter – smashed that record with 287, pipping Joyce to the post by 5lbs in terms of the bigger man on the night.

The general consensus amongst pundits, fighters, fans and even Joyce himself is that he was unnecessarily light for the first bout.

Now whilst that won’t entirely stop him being on the wrong end of Zhang’s sharp shots, it may go a way in helping his punch resistance and pushing back harder with his own shots.

Zhang is understandably confident though, and has predicted that the fight is stopped in his favour even earlier than last time. At 40-years-old, he knows the importance of keeping this mandatory position and fighting for a world title sooner rather than later.

The action goes down at the OVO Arena, Wembley tomorrow night. UK fans can tune in via TNT Sports, whilst those in the States can watch on ESPN.