Unbeaten British powerhouse Joe Joyce and ex-unified junior lightweight champ Mikaela Mayer prepare to jointly headline a thrilling event, Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang, this Saturday at London’s Copper Box Arena.
Joyce (15-0, 14 KOs) is set to defend his WBO interim heavyweight title in the main event, taking on Chinese contender and fellow Olympic silver medalist Zhilei Zhang (24-1-1, 19 KOs).
In the co-feature, Mayer (17-1, 5 KOs) will make her 135-pound debut, facing off against former two-time junior welterweight world champion Christina “Medusa” Linardatou (14-2, 6 KOs) in a 10-round clash for the vacant WBC interim lightweight championship.
The undercard lineup features heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma (2-0, 2 KOs) in a six-round bout against Ukraine’s Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko (9-12-1, 6 KOs), and England’s Sam Noakes (10-0, 10 KOs) facing off in a 12-round lightweight contest against Indian standout Karthik Sathish Kumar (10-0, 4 KOs).
There’s a lot more about Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang event, which we’d like to share with you. So, here you go:
Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang Date, Time, and Venue
The 12-round heavyweight showdown is scheduled for Saturday, April 15, at the Copper Box Arena in London. Undercard bouts will kick off at 5 pm, with the main event, Joyce vs Zhang, anticipated to commence around 10:30 pm.
Date: Saturday, April 15
Time: 7 p.m. BST / 2 p.m. ET
Venue: Copper Box Arena, London
Main Event Ringwalks (approx): 11 p.m. BST / 6 p.m. ET
Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang Match Broadcast
In the UK, the fight will be televised on BT Sport, while viewers in the U.S. can catch the action by streaming it on ESPN+.
What’s on the Line in Joyce vs Zhang?
Joyce (15-0, 14 KOs) is not only defending his WBO interim heavyweight title but also his career prospects in this fight. If he suffers a defeat at the hands of the 6’6″ Zhang (24-1, 19 KOs), a guaranteed title shot against the reigning IBF/WBA/WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk will be out of reach. Additionally, his age might hinder any chances of a comeback from such a loss.
Securing a knockout and delivering an impressive performance is crucial for the 37-year-old Joyce. However, he must also exercise caution to avoid walking into a powerful blow. In his previous fight against Joseph Parker, Joyce withstood some formidable hits that could have knocked out many other heavyweights.
Given that Zhang possesses even greater punching power than Parker, it’s essential for Joyce to avoid receiving similar blows during the upcoming fight on Saturday.
Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang Face-off at the Final Presser
Before the event, the fighters participated in a final pre-fight press conference, where they previewed their upcoming bout and had a face-to-face encounter.
Joe Joyce
“I’m a tough man. I started rugby a long time ago. I’ve tried a lot of sports. And I’ve finally found my sport in boxing. And it’s a whole package, all the ingredients that go into making a great champion. That’s what I want to be. And I’m getting close. I have the WBO interim title, but I don’t know how close I am to the world title.”
“All the others seem to be running scared or doing their own thing. I want the fights to happen. I get how things work with the governing bodies. And I can only just fight who is put in front of me. So, why not fight a good fight and give everyone an entertaining fight against Zhilei Zhang?”
“I respect Zhang’s power, and I won’t be going in there recklessly. He’s a southpaw, too. That’s more of a tricky style than what I’m used to. The last southpaw I fought was Lenroy Thomas in my fourth fight, which was for the Commonwealth title. In history, that was really quick. I’ve only had 15 fights with 14 knockouts. I’m in for some proper fights and will give everyone value for their money.”
Zhilei Zhang
“We accepted this fight with no questions. For me, I’m here for a reason. I’m here to become the strongest and the best. And I know that in order to be the best, you have to beat the best.
“The translation of ‘The Juggernaut’ in Chinese is Red Tank. That’s what people call him. He has a tough chin. He has great stamina. But I’m the ‘Big Bang.’”
“From the first round of their fight, Joseph Parker fought scared. He fought going backwards and running around the ring. So, when it comes to direct body contact, there hasn’t been anyone who has hit Joe Joyce with solid punches. But, I will land my shots.”
Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang Fight Card
- Main Event: Joe Joyce (C) vs Zhilei Zhang (WBO Interim Heavyweight Title)
- Co-main Event: Mikaela Mayer vs Christina Linardatou (WBC Interim Lightweight Championship)
- Denzel Bentley vs Kieran Smith (Middleweight)
- Sam Noakes vs Karthik Kumar (Lightweight)
- Sonny Ali vs Richard Helm (Welterweight)
- Moses Itouma vs Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko (Heavyweight)
Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang Fighting Style Comparison
Joe Joyce and Zhilei Zhang are both skilled boxers, each with their unique fighting styles. This analysis will highlight the key strengths and weaknesses of both fighters, giving you a better understanding of their fighting style.
Joe Joyce’s Fighting Style Strengths
Power: Joe Joyce is known for his impressive punching power, which has led to numerous knockout victories throughout his career.
Size and Reach: Standing at 6’6″ with an 82-inch reach, Joyce has a significant size advantage over many opponents, which he uses to dictate the pace and control the distance in fights.
Stamina: Joyce has proven to possess great stamina, enabling him to maintain a high work rate throughout long fights.
Joe Joyce’s Fighting Style Weaknesses
Defense: Joyce’s defense is sometimes criticized for being lackluster, which can leave him open to counterattacks.
Speed: His hand and foot speed are not considered elite, which can be a disadvantage against faster opponents.
Zhilei Zhang’s Fighting Style Strengths
Size and Reach: Like Joyce, Zhang is a tall heavyweight, standing at 6’6″, and uses his reach effectively to keep opponents at bay.
Technique: Zhang is a skilled and technical fighter, with a strong amateur background, including an Olympic silver medal.
Combinations: Zhang is known for throwing fast combinations, which can overwhelm and break down his opponents.
Zhilei Zhang’s Fighting Style Weaknesses
Stamina: Zhang’s stamina has been questioned, as he tends to slow down in the later rounds of fights, making him more vulnerable to opponents with better conditioning.
Chin: There are concerns about Zhang’s ability to take heavy punches, as he has been hurt in fights before.
Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang Comparison
Both Joe Joyce and Zhilei Zhang possess significant size and reach, which they use to control fights. However, Joyce has the edge in power and stamina, while Zhang has better technique and throws faster combinations. In terms of weaknesses, Joyce’s defense and speed may leave openings for Zhang’s combinations, while Zhang’s stamina and chin could be exploited by Joyce’s powerful punches.
Zhang vs Joyce Prediction
As we approach the highly anticipated showdown between Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce, predicting the outcome becomes a fascinating exercise in contrasting styles and strengths. Both fighters have carved out their paths in the heavyweight division with unique attributes, making the outcome of this contest all the more intriguing.
Zhilei Zhang’s technical prowess and ring intelligence may prove to be significant factors in this matchup. His ability to maintain distance and accurately place his punches could frustrate Joyce and limit the effectiveness of his high-pressure style.
However, Joyce’s relentless forward movement, combined with his impressive power, could wear down Zhang and potentially open up opportunities for a fight-ending sequence. Joyce’s durability and proven ability to handle powerful opponents may grant him the edge in the later rounds of the contest.
In this battle of contrasting styles, it’s the fighter who can best exploit their opponent’s weaknesses while showcasing their own strengths that will emerge victorious.
However, in peak condition and demonstrating the capacity to endure later rounds, the hard-hitting Joyce deserves attention as a clear favorite. We expect Joyce to secure victory through a late knockout, Joyce TKO-8.
Concluding Joyce vs Zhang
In “The Juggernaut vs The Great Wall: Joyce vs Zhang,” fight fans can expect an epic heavyweight clash between two formidable fighters. With contrasting styles and strengths, this showdown promises to deliver explosive action and intense drama. As Joyce seeks to bulldoze through Zhang with his relentless pressure and powerful punches, Zhang will rely on his technical prowess and tactical approach to counter the Juggernaut’s advances.
As both fighters carry their nations’ pride on their shoulders, the stakes are higher than ever. Will Joyce’s unyielding determination and ruthless power be enough to crumble Zhang’s Great Wall, or will Zhang’s precision and ring intelligence create a strategic masterpiece that halts the Juggernaut’s march? The anticipation is palpable, and the stage is set for an unforgettable battle.
Regardless of the outcome, “The Great Wall vs The Juggernaut: Zhang vs Joyce” will go down in history as a defining moment in both fighters’ careers. The winner will solidify their position among the heavyweight elite, while the loser will have to regroup and rebuild.
One thing is certain – when the dust settles, the boxing world will be talking about this electrifying encounter for years to come. And worry not, RDX Sports will cover all the electrifying action of the event for you to keep you updated!
