Zhilei Zhang has spoken out about his stunning win over Joe Joyce a fortnight ago, and claims he always felt Joyce’s team had made an error in judgement when choosing him as an opponent.
A sizeable outsider in the eyes of both fans and the bookmakers, Zhang flipped the script at the Copper Box when he stopped ‘The Juggernaut’ in six rounds, with his backhand damaging the Brit’s eye to the point where he was not fit to continue.
Questions were raised afterwards as to why an opponent as risky as Zhang was selected and, speaking to iFL TV this week, ‘Big Bang’ said he thought right from the start that Joyce’s team had got it wrong.
“I know that media were asking Joyce what was next for him, and he said what he wanted to say. But I always said I wanted to focus on Joe Joyce, and we’ll see after the fight.”
“Through the whole build up, I felt like their team probably made a mistake choosing me, and it was proved that they did.”
“I just want to clarify that, so far, neither me nor my team have received any contractual communication about a rematch.”
“So that’s where everything is at. But, in case they do want a rematch – I’m in.”
Although Zhang may not have received official confirmation as of yet, he did say recently that Joyce would be activating the rematch clause in an attempt to instantly claw back the WBO interim world title Zhang pried from them.
Zhang had been linked to a summer showdown with WBC world champion Tyson Fury, although it would appear Andy Ruiz Jr now looks more likely to land that particular pay day.