Heavyweights Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce will tussle for the second time in five months with the WBO interim belt on the line. Back in April Zhang won the crown pummeling Joyce and handing him his first professional loss in a big upset. Just seven months before that Joyce scored a 12th round KO of Joseph Parker to claim the belt. Prior to his upset of Joyce, Zhang experienced the first setback of his pro career dropping a unanimous decision to Filip Hrgovic. The rematch is expected to be just as fierce as the original fight with Zhang a slight -125 favorite on the boxing betting lines. Joyce opened as a negative odds ( -105 ) underdog.
A number of boxing pundits were shocked to see Joyce lose so decisively after looking unstoppable since turning pro in 2017. His first nine fights all ended before going to the judges and 14 of his 15 wins were by KO. Zhang has been impressive throughout his career winning World Championships and Olympic medals during his amateur days. He began his pro career with a KO of Curtis Lee Tate just 17 seconds into the first round.
Zhilei Zhang vs. Joe Joyce Betting Odds
Joe Joyce -105
Zhilei Zhang -125
The 12-round bout between WBO interim heavyweight champion Zhilei Zhang ( 25-1-1, 20 KOs ) and former champ Joe Joyce ( 15-1, 14 KOs ) will be held at OVO Arena Wembley in London, England, on Saturday, September 23, 2023. The fight is scheduled to be televised on ESPN+.
Zhilei Zhang vs. Joe Joyce Fight Preview
If this match is anything like the first fight we’ll see plenty of punches thrown and a number of them land. Both fighters have devastating power as evidenced by their method of wins. Joyce currently holds a 93 percent knockout-to-win ratio with Zhang not far off at 80 percent. So you could say there’s a good chance this one doesn’t go the distance.
The first meeting ended halfway through with Zhang scoring a sixth round TKO. Joyce was staggered a number of times and had no reply for Zhang’s powerful blows. Joyce’s right eye was swollen shut and unfortunately he didn’t have Mickey Goldmill in his corner. Mick was the trainer for Rocky Balboa in the original film cutting Balboa’s eye open after Apollo Creed battered him. That’s enough of the cinematic references.
Joyce earned a place among the heavyweight elite with a TKO of former WBA heavyweight champ Daniel Dubois in 2020 and a TKO of top challenger Carlos Takam in 2021. The win over Parker one year ago put him on track for a bout with either Tyson Fury or current WBO heavyweight champ Oleksandr Usyk, but those were stalled by Zhang. Activating the rematch clause in his contract, Joyce looks to get back to the top of the heavyweight heap.
Though Zhang’s record is impressive, his list of victims isn’t so much. His biggest professional win in terms of opponent and stakes was five months ago when he battered Joyce. At 6 feet, 6 inches with an 80 inch reach, he’s an imposing figure and wasted no time getting the upperhand in the first fight with two big lefts that hurt Joyce. And Big Bang kept coming.
One thing that has me leaning toward Joyce in the rematch is that he now has experience fighting a southpaw. Joyce admittedly was baffled at times by the lefty and even though he has a granite chin Joyce absorbed too many blows to the head eventually causing the eye to swell shut. Joyce was also 10 pounds lighter than Zhang creating a perfect storm for the underdog to pull off the upset.
Bet Zhilei Zhang vs. Joe Joyce
I gave my pick away in the preview section and I’m sticking with it. I believe Joyce was caught off guard by the southpaw style and Zhang’s relentless approach. Once he got hurt there was no chance to get back in the game, though Joyce did his best. He was still standing when the fight was stopped he just couldn’t see due to the abuse he took. Neither fighter is known for defense and I expect Joyce will come out hungry looking for payback. And Joyce knows what to expect so he’ll be ready.
Boxing Odds Pick: Joe Joyce -105 / (TKO)
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