Joe Joyce's next opponent CONFIRMED with him to take on Zhilei Zhang
Joe Joyce’s next opponent is CONFIRMED with the Brit set to take on Chinese giant Zhilei Zhang in April… as the 37-year-old aims to defend his WBO Interim World Heavyweight title for the first time
- Joe Joyce defeated Joseph Parker in dramatic fashion in Manchester last year
- He is now set to defend his WBO Interim World Heavyweight title vs Zhilei Zhang
- Joyce is continuing his preparations for a potential bout with Fury or Usyk
Joe Joyce will defend his WBO Interim World Heavyweight title for the first time when he takes on Chinese fighter Zhilei Zhang in April at the Copper Box Arena.
Joyce was last in action when he beat Joseph Parker in thrilling fashion in September last year with the 37-year-old now possessing a 15-0 (14 KOs) record.
But 6ft 6ins Zhang will not be an easy opponent on April 15, with the Chinese fighter suffering his first defeat of his career in August when he lost to the Croatian Filip Hrgovic by ruling of the judges’ scorecards – despite many believing he had won the fight.
It will be his first professional visit to London for the 39-year-old southpaw, who is known as ‘Big Bang’ Zhang and has an impressive fight record of 24-1-1 (19 KOs) and Joyce was excited to have his opponent confirmed.
‘It is a great fight,’ the Brit said. ‘He had a tough fight against Hrgovic but I thought he won it.
Joe Joyce will defend his WBO Interim World Heavyweight title for the first time in April
Joyce was last in action when he beat Joseph Parker in thrilling fashion back in September
‘Zhang is a big, strong southpaw who is massive, and he has been to the Olympics and all that. So, he has the experience and I think it will be a great fight.’
With Oleksandr Usyk – the current unified world heavyweight champion – expected to take on Tyson Fury this year, the fight provides a good opportunity for Joyce to bolster his own heavyweight credentials and prepare for a potential bout against Usyk or Fury.
Joyce added: ‘He bangs so I will have to watch out for it. It will be carnage in the centre of the ring!
‘It will be a good preparation for Usyk or Fury, plus I haven’t fought a southpaw since I won the Commonwealth title against Lenroy Thomas.’
The pair both competed as amateurs in the Olympics before turning professional and Zhang was equally excited at taking on someone with whom he could see several career parallels with.
He said: ‘It’s a new chapter in my career. I am always up for the challenge and when the opportunity rings the bell.
‘Joe Joyce and I share a lot in common – we are both Olympic silver medalists, both are big punchers, and are nearly the same size.
‘This is going to be an explosive, epic and tremendous fight.’
Joyce will take on 39-year-old Chinese fighter Zhilei Zhang at the Copper Box Arena on April 15
Frank Warren said this will be good preparation for Joyce ahead of a potential bout with Fury
Frank Warren, Joyce’s promoter added: ‘This is another cracker of a card. We want to keep Big Joe busy while the heavyweight title scene unfolds but there can be no easy touches in a defence of his WBO Interim title.
‘Zhilei Zhang is a formidable powerhouse and him being a southpaw ticks a significant box for Joe, with Usyk being a left-hander and Tyson carrying the ability to adopt either stance.
‘This is what we want next for Joe and hopefully it will be a huge all-British collision against Tyson.’
The undercard is yet to be announced, but tickets for the fight are set to go on sale on February 15.
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