Joe Joyce has the chance to set the record straight when he takes on Zhilei Zhang for the WBO Heavyweight title at the OVO Arena in Wembley on Saturday night.
The two go head to head in a rematch that will be well worth a watch if it can produce the same level of drama as the first clash. Here, we’ll take a closer look at the two fighters ahead of this headline bout in the hope that we can pick out the eventual winner for you.
Revenge
The Juggernaut lost his Interim WBO Heavyweight title to Zhang in their meeting earlier this year and didn’t hang around in exercising the rematch clause in the contract. Joyce is known as one of the nicer guys on the boxing circuit, but he’ll need to be ruthless if he is to get his revenge over the giant from China and regain his lost title.
It was clear what winning this title meant to Zhang after that first fight in April and he will not let it go willingly. It can probably be said with a fair amount of merit that Joyce went into the fight underestimating his opponent, who had not long come out of retirement from the sport. That said, Zhang went about his work excellently and was fully deserving of the technical KO in the sixth round.
Change of tactics
Much has been made of Joyce’s chin over the last few years, with the man from London showing on numerous occasions he can take a punch. He left himself far too open in the last fight however, and Zhang’s massive left hand did some major damage to Joyce’s face. The power in those shots clearly rocked him too, and the referee was right to call it when he did. If Joyce is to prosper here, he will need a change of tactics.
Movement could be key for him in this rematch. He was far too static in that first bout and was constantly caught out when stepping onto Zhang. If he can pick his shots and move in and out quickly, it could be enough to unsettle the big man and present some opportunities for Joyce to exploit his defence. The big question now is, does he have the discipline to stick to his tactics and not get drawn into a brawl?
Always a danger
When facing up with a heavyweight the size of Zhang, there is always a danger things can go wrong. All it takes is one sweetly landed punch and it can all be over. Zhang did hit Joyce with some thunderous shots in their first match up, many of which would have likely ended bouts with other fighters, so he will be looking to open up his opponent again and punish him here.
It’s set to be another epic showdown in the capital this weekend and with the bookies struggling to separate them in the market, it could go all the way.
