ZHILEI ZHANG VS JOE JOYCE 2 RESULTS: SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2023
WHAT WAS THE RESULT OF ZHANG VS JOYCE 2?
In the main event of the boxing, Zhilei Zhang beat Joe Joyce via KO in the third round. Zhang retained his WBO ‘interim’ Championship for the first time, having captured the belt when he faced Joe Joyce back in April.
WAS ZHANG VS JOYCE 2 A GOOD FIGHT?
No, not really. The first round started off cagey, with limited action and no clear winner. This was exactly how the first two minutes of Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang 1 had begun, until Zhang started landing at the end of the round. Zhang had to wait a little longer to land this time, but starting having success in the second round as Joe Joyce’s defensive frailties began to show. Joe Joyce was struggling to keep his hands up after the first round, as he did and the previous fight, and was being punished.
The finish came from a single blow in the third round. Zhang threw a 1-2, a left to the body and a right to the head, and Joyce was completely defenceless for the second shot. Joe Joyce crashed to the mat for the first time in his professional career. He rose to his feet barely before the count of ten, but looked dazed and confused as the referee waved it off. Joyce was in no position to continue.
Zhang’s victory puts him second in line for a mandatory shot at the Heavyweight championship. Oleksandr Usyk has to face IBF mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic, or arrange a long awaited unification with WBC champion Tyson Fury. Once the IBF mandatory has been resolved, and either Usyk or Hrgovic emerge victorious, they’ll move on to face ‘Big Bang’ Zhang. Neither Usyk or Hrgovic will relish facing Zhang, although Hrgovic beat Zhang in a controversial bout where many preferred Zhang.
WHAT WERE THE RESULTS OF THE UNDERCARD FOR ZHANG VS JOYCE 2?
Anthony Yarde vs Jorge Silva – Yarde via KO rnd 2
Pierce O’Leary vs Kane Gardner – O’Leary via UD.
Moses Itauma vs Amine Boucetta – Itauma TKO rnd 1
Zach Parker vs Khalid Graidia – Parker wins rnd 7 Graidia retires
Ezra Taylor vs Joel McIntyre – Taylor TKO rnd 8. In the final second of the fight.
Royston Barney-Smith vs Engel Gomez – Royston Barney-Smith wins via referee points decision
Tommy Fletcher vs Alberto Tapia – Fletcher TKO rnd 4.
Sean Noakes vs Lukasz Barabasz – Noakes wins via referee points decision
Aloys Youmbi vs Erik Nazaryan – Aloys KO rnd 1.
This was a float fight that took place after the main event. It wasn’t really broadcast, it just took place in the background as the panel of Laura Woods, Carl Frampton and Steve Bunce chatted away.
WHAT WAS THE FIGHT OF THE NIGHT?
Ezra Taylor vs Joel McIntyre for the ending. You rarely get a home fighter getting a KO with 1 second on the clock, without it being dubious or biased in some way. Watch Golden Boy’s Curiel vs Pennington to see the pathetic way that contested ended. Ezra Taylor got his legitimate stoppage in the final seconds and deserves massive credit for doing so.
WHERE DID ZHANG VS JOYCE 2 TAKE PLACE?
Zhilei Zhang vs Joe Joyce 2 took take place at the OVO Wembley Arena in London, England.
WHEN DID ZHANG VS JOYCE 2 PLACE TAKE?
The show was ordered quite poorly. One bout was scrapped before the show as Sam Noakes opponent pulled out, but the show still ran very slow until the final few bouts. Luckily, Moses Ituama and Anthony Yarde quickly ended their bouts, or else the main event of Zhang vs Joyce II might have started after midnight. The main bout started around 11:00 p.m in the UK.
WHO BROADCASTED ZHANG VS JOYCE 2?
The event was broadcast on TNT Sports in the UK. The panel consisted of Laura Woods, Steve Bunce, and Carl Frampton. Coverage in the US was provided by ESPN+.