Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang bids to cement his place at the sport’s top table with a repeat victory over Briton Joe Joyce.
Both men hold strong amateur credentials. However, when they met in the ring, it was Zhang would prove to have the equalizer.
Joyce was hurt early and suffered significant facial damage before being stopped. Zhang aims to overcome “The Juggernaut” a second time in a similar fashion.
However, Zhang is starting at a blank canvas and wants to look at Joyce with fresh eyes on September 23 in London.
Heavyweight stakes
“I created history last time,” said Zhang. “I believe the best way to inherit history is to create new ones.
“Now, I look at the rematch as if it was a new fight. I look at Joe Joyce as if I never fought him before. I started from zero, and this is the new self.”
Joyce has it all to do with his revenge mission, if only because rematches usually go the same way as the first in the heavyweight division.
“I’m coming back to take back what’s mine,” said Joyce. “September 23, I am leaving everything in that ring. No compromises.
“No underestimating my opponent. Nothing but a win. Last time out, I lost my undefeated professional record. It was hard to take.
“But after the dust settled, all that will do is make me better. I’ve learned lessons. I’m ready. And I am coming for everything.”
Zhang vs Joyce 2
Promoter Frank Warren knows Joyce cannot afford another loss.
“This is a fight with high stakes written all over it. The first fight in April was the best heavyweight fight made this year. I am expecting more of the same at the OVO Arena on September 23.
“Joe will acknowledge that Zhilei did a number on him at the Copper Box. He has a lot to work on to put it right. But he knows what he has got to do.
“His immediate future depends on him regaining his WBO Interim world champion position.
“Thankfully, for Joe’s sake, the rotation system for mandatory challenges with the governing bodies means the WBO contender against the unified champion has yet to be called.
“Victory in September will put Joe right back in the frame to fight whoever emerges victorious out of the current champion Oleksandr Usyk and his next challenger, Daniel Dubois.
“This is why the stakes are so incredibly high for both fighters. I hope Wembley will be packed to the rafters for such a significant heavyweight match.”
