By: Sean Crose
There was little doubt the 15-1 heavyweight Joe Joyce was going to have his work lower out for him when he battled the 25-1-1 Zhilei Zhang in a twelve spherical heavyweight throwdown Saturday evening in London. Zhang, in spite of everything, had gained the primary bout between the 2 males again in April, courtesy of a sixth spherical stoppage. Few, nonetheless, doubtless anticipated the arduous hitting Joyce to to be made such fast work of by Zhang in Saturday’s rematch. Yet fast work for Zhang it was as he put Joyce down and out with a thunderous, practically completely positioned proper hand within the third.
“I feel very happy,” Zhang mentioned afterward. “Like I said, it would end sooner than the first fight. I did it.” Still, the rising heavyweight had nothing however variety phrases for Joyce, the person he’s defeated twice in a row inside the distance. “Joe’s a hell of a fighter,” mentioned Zhang. “Respect to him. I like him. I respect him. Everyone please cheer for him.” Zhang additionally indicated he’d prefer to face WBC and lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. Whether or not he may defeat Fury would possibly stay to be seen. There is little doubt, nonetheless, that Zhang is now one of many prime operators within the division.
It can’t be denied that Joyce had confirmed as much as win on Saturday. He flicked his jab successfully and confirmed that he was definitely within the combat. Zhang merely proved to be too highly effective, nonetheless. When Zhang hits, opponents really feel it – and Joyce was no exception. Still, Joyce was doing pretty properly for himself up till the third when Zhang turned the lights out in a flash. Indeed, the third spherical was practically over when Zhang caught Joyce flush along with his howitzer of a proper hook.
Zhang-Joyce 2 ended up being some of the anticipated matchups of the yr not involving world titlists. Although the outdated guard (Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Deontay Wilder, Anthony Joshua et al…) are now not figurative spring chickens, neither is Zhang. Could Shang efficiently tackle one of many divisions greater names? The fact will doubtless emerge sooner quite than later. Yet, for the second, not less than, Zhang seems completely happy to savor his victory. “This is what we’re here for,” he mentioned after the combat. “We’re professional fighters. We come here to entertain the crowd. We did it. I hope everybody enjoyed my performance.”
*Image: Top Rank
