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Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Fight result after devastating knockout tonight

Re-live updates from the heavyweight rematch at London’s Wembley Arena

Alex Pattle
Combat Sports Correspondent
Sunday 24 September 2023 07:33 EDT
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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: Main-event ring walks

Joyce is out first, initially to Jeff Buckley’s version of “Hallelujah”, before it gives way to something a bit heavier...

Interesting choices!

Alex Pattle23 September 2023 22:45

Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Main-event ring walks

The ring walks for Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang 2 are moments away...

Alex Pattle23 September 2023 22:34

Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Anthony Yarde vs Jorge Silva

Anthony Yarde def. Jorge Silva via second-round knockout (2:07).

Alex Pattle23 September 2023 22:23

Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Anthony Yarde vs Jorge Silva

Round 2

Good head movement from Yarde as he stalks Silva. He batters the Portuguese with hooks to the body then a massive uppercut upstairs!

Silva has eaten those shots well, but he’s then tagged with a mean right hook to the body.

Another barrage from Yarde, with Silva backed into his own corner, and the Portuguese goes down!

He waits and waits, and ultimately fails to beat the referee’s count! It’s all over!

Alex Pattle23 September 2023 22:20

Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Anthony Yarde vs Jorge Silva

Round 1

Yarde is totally on top in the first frame, backing Silva up to the ropes and firing off sharp right hands.

He is warned, however, for landing a couple to the back of Silva’s head, as the 40-year-old stooped.

Alex Pattle23 September 2023 22:17

Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Anthony Yarde vs Jorge Silva

Here we go! Yarde, 32, is looking to bounce back from his stoppage defeat by Artur Beterbiev here, as he takes on 40-year-old Silva.

Alex Pattle23 September 2023 22:13

Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Anthony Yarde vs Jorge Silva

Next up is the co-main event: Anthony Yarde vs Jorge Silva at light-heavyweight.

Alex Pattle23 September 2023 22:05

Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Moses Itauma vs Amine Boucetta

Itauma jokes that he’s only sweating due to his pre-fight workout, not the 100-odd seconds that he was in the ring.

Alex Pattle23 September 2023 22:02

Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Moses Itauma vs Amine Boucetta

Such staggering hand speed from Itauma in that finishing flurry.

Alex Pattle23 September 2023 22:01

Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Moses Itauma vs Amine Boucetta

Round 1

Itauma with some good right hooks early, but it’s a left hand that puts down Boucetta within 90 seconds! A perfect uppercut!

Boucetta beats the referee’s count, but he’s then backed up to the ropes, where Itauma unleashes a rapid flurry of punches, dropping Boucetta to his knees! The towel comes in at the same time, and the referee steps in anyway!

Itauma stays unbeaten, a marvellous prospect at just 18 years old!

Alex Pattle23 September 2023 22:00

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