Zhilei Zhang shocked the world in April when he got a sixth-round technical knockout over undefeated 2016 Olympian, and heavyweight contender Joe Joyce. Though Zhang had been rumored to be facing Tyson Fury this summer, TalkSport reported tonight that Joe Joyce will activate his rematch clause to face Zhang in a rematch.
The first bout was stopped due to an eye injury Joyce had suffered, forcing the doctor to call the bout off for Joyce's safety. Many from Joyce's side believe that Joyce was just getting going before the doctor stopped it, because of the damage, Joyce had endured.
No word on when the fight would take place or where it would be, but now it appears that will be a fight that occurs in either the late third quarter or fourth quarter of 2023.
Prior to the loss, Joe Joyce had just come off the biggest win of his career getting an eleventh-round knockout of Joseph Parker. Zhang was coming off a split decision loss many felt should have gone his way in an IBF heavyweight world title eliminator against Filip Hrgovic.