Zhilei Zhang has confirmed that Joe Joyce has asked for a rematch.
Zhang upset the odds with victory over the Brit on April 15 and is happy to fight the him again but wants to dictate some of the terms.
‘Big Bang’ knocked Joyce out in the sixth round at the Copper Box Arena to bounce back from his controversial defeat to Filip Hrgovic last August.
Despite holding a rematch option, some pundits believe ‘The Juggernaut’ should swerve a second fight with the giant heavyweight and rebuild his confidence, but Joyce seems to be having none of that.
In an interview with CGTN Europe, Zhang confirmed that Joyce wants the rematch, but the veteran fighter would like it to take place in his homeland of China, after travelling to England for the original fight.
“[Joyce] has asked for the rematch, and asked for the date and the location. I actually don’t mind about the when and the where. Of course it would be the better if it could happen in China. So that the Chinese boxing fans can see a championship heavyweight fight.”
Whether the rematch will be Zhang’s next fight is another question, with a clear ambition of becoming Asia’s first heavyweight world champion and a ticking clock with the Henan-born big man turning forty next week.
“Now I can challenge Usyk, so my next plan is, of course, to fight against him. My team have been talking with Usyk’s team about a date and venue of the competition.”
The 39 year-old has been linked to a fight against Tyson Fury, who has teased big news this week, and reports suggest it’ll be either Zhang or Andy Ruiz Jr as his chosen opponent.
Daniel Dubois holds pole position for a fight with the unified champion, Oleksandr Usyk, with negotiations currently ongoing and a purse date bid looming.