Following reports that the fight is almost done, it has now been announced that Joe Joyce will indeed defend his WBO interim heavyweight title against China’s Zhilei Zhang.
‘Big Bang’ will journey to Copper Box Arena in London to face ‘The Juggernaut’, who just had the best win of his career over former champion Joseph Parker.
Promoter Frank Warren promised ‘fireworks’ and believes that, facing a southbound, Joyce will be well prepared for a future hit with Oleksandr Usyk or Tyson Fury.
Joyce, getting ready for another night of checking her chin, is looking forward to a fun night of back-and-forth action.
“It was a great fight. He had a tough fight with Hrgovic but I think he won the match. Zhang is a big, strong, and big, southbound limber, and he’s been to the Olympics and all that. So he’s experienced and I think it’s going to be a great fight.
“He hit hard so I’ll have to watch out for it. Since Hrgovic and I have similar playing styles, they had a great game, so when we play against each other, it will be interesting. It will be carnage in the center of the ring!
As for Zhang, many will feel he deserves this match after his performance against Filip Hrgovic last August – a match that some fans and pundits feel he has won. won despite losing through unanimous decision.
It was the first loss in the career of the man from China. He’s looking to come back with, well, a bang.
“It is a new chapter in my career. I am always ready to take on challenges and when opportunities arise. Joe Joyce and I have a lot in common – we’re both Olympic silver medalists, we’re both great boxers and roughly the same size. This will be an explosive, epic and huge fight.
I want to thank my team and Joyce’s team for getting this done together. I want all my fans in the UK to show up and enjoy the event. Can’t wait to be in the ring on April 15th.”
The winner will be well positioned to claim the title after all is said and done between two champions and their undisputed match. Joyce and Warren will be confident that he will hold the position, while being well aware that Zhang is not to be taken lightly.
Tickets for the slugfest will go on sale from 11am on Wednesday, February 15 via TicketMaster.
