The heavyweights are back in action on ESPN+, and there is more at stake this time. Interim WBO heavyweight champion Zhilei ‘Big Bang’ Zhang (25-1-1, 20 KOs) will face Joe ‘The Juggernaut’ Joyce (15-1, 14 KOs) in a rematch of their April fight where Zhang earned a sixth-round TKO victory. As frustrating as the heavyweight division has been, this fight has piqued the interest of fans and media alike. Joyce was pegged to give the big names of the division a hard fight, so there is a belief that the first time was more about Joyce being underprepared than overmatched. Zhang must show that the first time wasn’t a fluke and dominate Joyce in his backyard again.
WILL SATURDAY’S FIGHT SOLIDIFY ‘BIG BANG’ ZHANG AS A REAL HEAVYWEIGHT THREAT?
👀 Aiming for Joe's eye again!
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) September 15, 2023
Zhilei Zhang has his game plan ready for next Saturday, watch the full interview as Big Bang arrives in London: https://t.co/BTMDwbDmNq#ZhangJoyce | 23.09.23 | 🎟 via https://t.co/qrdxqhUZox pic.twitter.com/zCfNGcIMC5
Zhang has been flying a little under the radar, but his last few fights have shown how capable the 40-year-old heavyweight is when he faces top-level opponents. He moves that 270-pound-plus frame around the ring well, which reminds fans of what WBC champ Tyson Fury can do. Zhang has already proven to be a threat, but another stoppage of Joyce will solidify that for him.
How does Zhang win on Saturday night? He just has to box, move in circles, and not stay in close exchanges for long periods. He has to make Joyce work, and if he indeed puts on weight for this fight, Zhang needs to tire him out so he can drown him in the later rounds.
WILL IT BE A REPEAT OR REVENGE FOR THE JUGGERNAUT?
🥊 Will the late rounds be key to @joejoyceboxing potential to beat Zhilei Zhang in the rematch!#ZhangJoyce2 | Saturday | 🎟 via https://t.co/qrdxqhUZox pic.twitter.com/FKRKFNjg09
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) September 19, 2023
Joyce will look to prove that the first fight was a case of him underestimating Zhang, but that’s a tall order. Joyce has never been a fighter with quick hand speed or great footwork. He’s always been slow and robotic but someone that packs a big punch. He made it work against Daniel Dubois as they are both similar in style, but Zhang is a different fighter. He moves and boxes well, which is a style not suited for Joyce.
This fight has repeat written all over it. It’s hard to see this fight going any different than the first one. If Joyce wants to win, he has to get in close with Zhang, bang away to the body, and hope he tires out later in the fight. The risk is that Joyce will be down on the cards, but if he can work the body early, he could have a shot at landing something big late in the fight.
ZHILEI ZHANG VS. JOE JOYCE 2 PREDICTION
Although Joyce will look to prove the first fight was a fluke, Zhang is too technically sound and will pick him apart with the right jab and the straight left. Zhang will apply pressure all night, and the referee will stop the fight in the eighth round—Zhang by eighth-round TKO.
ZHILEI ZHANG VS. JOE JOYCE 2 BETTING ODDS
Per BetOnline.ag, Zhilei Zhang is the favorite at -135 (Under 9 ½ rounds -110), and Joe Joyce is the underdog at +105 (Over 9 ½ rounds -120).
Zhilei Zhang: TKO/KO +475; Decision +140
Draw: +1600
Joe Joyce: TKO/KO +260; Decision +260
Round Group Betting
Zhilei Zhang by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 1 to 3 +1600
Zhilei Zhang by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 4 to 6 +700
Zhilei Zhang by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 7 to 9 +450
Zhilei Zhang by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 10 to 12 +700
✈️ Big Bang Zhang is back in London! And his message to @joejoyceboxing is familiar, chat s**t get...#ZhangJoyce | 23.09.23 | 🎟 https://t.co/qrdxqhVxe5 pic.twitter.com/R28mGlSWUa
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) September 14, 2023
Joe Joyce by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 1 to 3 +2500
Joe Joyce by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 4 to 6 +1000
Joe Joyce by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 7 to 9 +750
Joe Joyce by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 10 to 12 +1000
ZHILEI ZHANG VS. JOE JOYCE 2 FIGHT DATE, START TIME
- Date: Saturday, September 23
- Time: 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT
- Main event ringwalks (approx): 5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT
These timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights.
🤩 Don't miss any of the action this week as we get ready for a massive night of boxing on Saturday night!#ZhangJoyce2 | Saturday | 🎟 via https://t.co/qrdxqhUZox pic.twitter.com/iKZjZZax1N
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) September 19, 2023
WHAT CHANNEL/STREAM IS ZHILEI ZHANG VS. JOE JOYCE 2?
- U.S.: ESPN+
- UK: TNT Sports
ZHILEI ZHANG VS. JOE JOYCE 2 FIGHT CARD
- Zhilei Zhang vs. Joe Joyce; For Zhang’s WBO interim heavyweight title
- Anthony Yarde vs. TBA; light heavyweight
- Sam Noakes vs. Carlos Perez; lightweight
- Pierce O’Leary vs. Kane Gardner; super lightweight
- Zach Parker vs. Khalid Graidia; super middleweight
- Ezra Taylor vs. Joel McIntyre; light heavyweight
- Royston Barney-Smith vs. TBA; super featherweight
- Moses Itauma vs. Amine Boucetta; heavyweight
- Tommy Fletcher vs. TBA; cruiserweight
- Aloys Youmbi vs. Erik Nazaryan; cruiserweight
- Sean Noakes vs. TBA; welterweight
