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: Zach Parker vs Khalid Graidia
Round 2
Graidia trips after both fighters overextend on straight punches.
One-two sneaks through Graidia’s guard, then a right hook wraps around it! Good stuff from Parker.
Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Zach Parker vs Khalid Graidia
Round 1
Parker with a really positive start, winging a right hook to the body as he backs up Graidia to the ropes.
Another right hook to the midriff by Parker, the southpaw also leaving his lead hand out in Graidia’s face to obscure his vision.
Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Zach Parker vs Khalid Graidia
Next up, it’s a super-middleweight bout between Zach Parker and Khalid Graidia! Here we go.
Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Royston Barney-Smith vs Engel Gomez
Royston Barney-Smith def. Engel Gomez via decision (60-52).
Still unbeaten! No questions over this one.
Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Royston Barney-Smith vs Engel Gomez
Round 6
Lots of pressure from Barney-Smith as he seeks a finish in this final round. Harsh left crosses and hooks.
One cross rocks Gomez somewhat, but he keeps coming forward!
Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Royston Barney-Smith vs Engel Gomez
Round 5
Barney-Smith is favouring heavy uppercuts and hooks in this penultimate round.
Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Royston Barney-Smith vs Engel Gomez
Round 4
In a good end to the round, Gomez half-catches Barney-Smith with a couple of overhand rights, and a left hook to the body between them.
Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Royston Barney-Smith vs Engel Gomez
Round 3
Another knockdown by Barney-Smith! It’s a clean, rear uppercut! Again Gomez beats the count, but he’s really struggling here.
Barney-Smith is managing the distance so well, and he’s timing his counter left hands very nicely as well.
Joyce vs Zhang 2 LIVE: Royston Barney-Smith vs Engel Gomez
Round 2
Barney-Smith sends Gomez down to a knee! First there’s a lovely, step-back cross to the chin, but it’s followed by a body uppercut – and that’s what scores the knockdown.
Gomez, in his third fight this month(!), beats the referee’s count, but he’s soon caught with another southpaw cross.
He comes back with a decent overhand right, it’s just lacking a bit of power.
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