Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Fight result after devastating knockout tonight
Re-live updates from the heavyweight rematch at London’s Wembley Arena
Joe Joyce suffered a second straight loss to Zhilei Zhang on Saturday, as the Chinese heavyweight stopped the Briton once again.
Zhang, 40, dominated Joyce in April, damaging the 38-year-old’s eye to the point of closure and sealing a sixth-round stoppage. And when the pair returned to London on Saturday, it took Zhang just three rounds to repeat the trick at Wembley Arena.
Joyce looked tentative throughout the first three rounds, hesitant to engage and troubled by Zhang’s output. Then, in the final seconds of Round 3, Zhang threw a clean left cross and landed a devastating right hook, dropping Joyce heavily. It was the first time in the Briton’s career that he had hit the canvas, and he narrowly failed to beat the referee’s count after the bell sounded.
With the result, Zhang retained the WBO interim title that he took from Joyce in April, meaning a clash with official champion Oleksandr Usyk may be next for “Big Bang”.
Re-live updates from Joyce vs Zhang and the undercard fights, below.
Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Repeat as “Big Bang” wins again
Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Repeat as “Big Bang” wins again
Zhilei Zhang def. Joe Joyce via third-round KO (3:07).
Before tonight, Joyce had never been knocked down in his pro career.
Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Repeat as “Big Bang” wins again
What a shot from Zhang. A clean right hook, after a left cross down the pipe.
Joyce is now on his feet thankfully.
Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Repeat as “Big Bang” wins again
Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Round 3
Joyce closes range but fails to pull the trigger. Then he’s backed up by Zhang, who lands a double-jab, right hand!
Joyce with a light cross to the head. He’s not committing to his shots at all, and they’re not exactly carrying much pace...
Zhang unloads again, teeing off on Joyce to the head and body! Joyce is able to arrest the momentum somewhat, fighting behind his jab.
OH! AND JOYCE GOES DOWN FROM A LEFT CROSS AND RIGHT HOOK! THE BELL GOES, BUT HE CAN’T BEAT THE REFEREE’S COUNT ANYWAY!! IT’S ALL OVER!
Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Round 2
Joyce with a jab to the body, and Zhang fires back with a cross to the mid-section. Now Zhang with a jab to the body.
The crowd tries to get behind the Briton, who eats another jab – this time upstairs – and is still looking reluctant to engage...
Zhang backs up Joyce now and lands a clean cross!! It wobbles Joyce somewhat, and Zhang unloads a few more shots, in a dangerous moment for Joyce!!
Joyce fires back with a couple of combinations, though!
Zhang just misses with a big hook attempt, but he lands a series of hard shots up top!! Joyce makes it to the bell, but these are bad signs...
Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Round 1
Zhang is southpaw; Joyce is orthodox.
Lots of pawing jabs from Joyce early doors. Zhang responds in kind, then sees a cross blocked.
Zhang steps in with a straight to the body now. Joyce tentatively tries a couple of left hooks from range, then a right cross to the body.
Another body shot from Zhang. Joyce continues to wave around his lead hand, in a hooking motion.
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