Joyce vs Zhang LIVE! Boxing fight stream, TV channel, latest updates and undercard results
Joe Joyce takes on Zhilei Zhang in a big test tonight in London. The Copper Box Arena is the setting for what should be an explosive heavyweight main event between two massive but skilled punchers in which Joyce hopes to win well to finally stage a overdue showdown with one of boxing’s biggest names.
“The Juggernaut” has his sights set firmly on Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk as he defends the WBO title won by a grueling late knockout on Joseph Parker in September, but can’t afford the challenge of Zhang easy to accept. The towering Chinese southpaw – nicknamed ‘Big Bang’ – is a powerful Olympic silver medalist and veteran fighter who will be desperate to avenge his controversial first professional loss to Filip Hrgovic last year.
Mikaela Mayer set up a possible clash with Katie Taylor after dominating the spirited late backup opponent Lucy Wildheart in the co-main event. Exciting prospect Moses Itauma was put at a distance by Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko while Sam Noakes Karthik stopped Sathish Kumar early and Denzel Bentley retained his British middleweight title with a reckless 45-second stoppage by Kieran Smith. Follow Joyce vs. Zhang live below!
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Joyce vs. Zhang
round 4
No lack of effort and determination from Joyce showing his consistency here and his ability to withstand big shots if nothing else.
He continues onto that nasty straight left.
Looking extremely confident, Zhang leads him down and finds the mark again.
But there is a long right of Joyce to make him think! Shot of the fight far away from Joyce.
A few more angry exchanges before the bell, but that’s another round of Zhang.
4-0 Zhang?
Joyce vs. Zhang
round 3
A shaken Joyce attempts a comeback in the third, stepping on the gas and trying to pressure Zhang.
But he gets hit far, far too often – which he often does with that granite jaw, but you can’t get away with it against a puncher as big as Zhang.
Joyce’s right eye and nose are busted, and Zhang thunders around the round with many more flashy punches. His left hand does so much damage.
That’s 3-0 for Zhang, isn’t it? Joyce in a real hole early. How can he react?
Joyce vs. Zhang
round 2
Joyce is in trouble in the second round!
Zhang falls into two big left hands and a huge right hook that throws Joyce back – his legs wobbling.
More than a minute until the bell rings.
Joyce is clearly injured, but tries to fight fire with fire, increasing his work speed and punishing the body.
But he can’t avoid Zhang’s straight left. Blood is dripping from Joyce’s nose, who is clearly second best here.
Joyce vs. Zhang
According to the BT show, Joyce’s trainer Ismael Salas read his protégé the uproar after that extremely sluggish first round.
Told him he was asleep and it was hard to disagree.
Joyce has to increase the pace significantly.
Joyce vs. Zhang
round 1
A confident start from Zhang, as he likes to do when he lands the first big shots of the night, ricocheting off Joyce’s head.
The Juggernaut shrugs, but taking punches like that from a big puncher like Zhang is dangerous.
Some redness around Joyce’s eye and his feet are way too slow as he gets caught by another straight to the left.
First round after Zhang, definitely. A slow start from Joyce.
Joyce vs. Zhang
Here we go!
Joyce vs. Zhang
A very lively robe worn by towering southpaw Zhang, who hails from China but now fights from New Jersey.
Looking as calm and withdrawn as ever during introductions, Joyce gets plenty of praise from that Copper Box crowd.
He strips off his black robe and we’re ready to go through the usual formalities of referee Howard Foster and the two heavyweight touch gloves.
Good atmosphere.
A song made for the affable Joyce.
“You don’t want a war with The Juggernaut”.
Had that right!
The Queen classic “We Will Rock You” is the ring music of choice for “Big Bang” Zhang, who gets a few boos from this partisan home crowd.
Now for London’s own Juggernaut!
Zhang waits patiently over on the ramp while the crowd belts out Sweet Caroline.
Time for the ring walks!