Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang 2 LIVE RESULTS: Latest reaction as Joyce given oxygen after brutal knock out defeat by Zhang
JOE JOYCE has been devastatingly knocked out by Zhilei Zhang in the third round at Wembley Arena.
Zhang won in quicker fashion than he did in their first clash back in April.
After a barrage of blows a stunning right dropped Joyce for the first time in his career and the fight was waved off.
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Joyce on Instagram
Frampton unsure on Joyce
Carl Frampton has admitted that he "feels" for Joe Joyce after his defeat and is not sure what lies in store for the defeated boxer.
Frampton told TNT Sports: "There were no changes made from the last performance, which we all would agree was very, very bad.
"I feel for Joe, it's difficult to see where he goes from this point.
"I think maybe he was still feeling a bit of a hangover from the first fight. Maybe too nervous. Maybe knowing deep down in himself that he can't change enough to change the result and change the outcome.
"I feel for Joe but we can't take that away from Zhang. That was an amazing shot to finish, and while the fight lasted, he was brilliant."
Credit: Getty Joyce 'not retiring'
Joe Joyce has insisted that he will not retire after his knockout defeat to Zhilei Zhang.
He told the BBC: "I'm going to [take] a bit of time... reflect and review where I went wrong.
When asked if he will retire, he replied: "No chance.
"I'm feeling good, I'm feeling OK. It's not the end of the world. I can rebuild and come back."
More from Froch
Carl Froch has suggested that Joe Joyce was "too slow" in his defeat to Zhilei Zhang.
He told talkSPORT: "Zhang was able to find his range in the second round and do what he wanted, there wasn't enough coming back from Joe Joyce.
"There was no head movement, and he was too slow and static. Too cumbersome.
"He was a sitting duck at times and it was a matter of when Zhang would decide to throw and go for it. He could do it whenever he wanted."
'Could be the last of Joyce'
Carl Froch has claimed that Joe Joyce's defeat to Zhilei Zhang could be the last "we see of the British boxer".
He told talkSPORT: "'I don't think Joe Joyce was ever going to win that fight, and I don't think he's ever going to beat Zhang. He's just too good for him.
"The limitations that we've seen throughout Joyce's career have been exposed in the last two fights.
"It's devastating for him because he loves the sport. But that could be the last we see of Joe Joyce."
Zhang calls out Fury
After knocking out Joe Joyce, Zhilei Zhang said: “To the audience, I want to ask you a question: Do you want to see me shut Tyson Fury up?”
On his performance, he added: “I am happy. Like I said before the fight, it is going to end sooner than the first fight and I did it.
"Joe, hell of a fighter, respect to him. I like him and respect him, everybody please care for him.”
Credit: Reuters Joyce on defeat to Zhang
"This is not it for me," Joyce said in a post-fight interview on his promoter Queensberry Promotions' channel, "I've got plenty more in the tank.
"I'm just gonna have to have a bit of time off, then come back new and improved."
Joyce added: "Zhang is a great fighter and a great southpaw.
"He's a fellow silver medallist and probably avoided by most.
"So it was probably a bit too far of a risk.
"I needed to fight a southpaw because I hadn't fought a southpaw for a long time.
"But yeah it's just disappointing because I got myself into the position I was in and then it was obviously a risk too far and I paid the price."
Full recap from last night
- Zhilei Zhang (c) def. Joe Joyce via KO 3 for the interim WBO heavyweight title
- Pierce O'Leary def. Kane Gardner via UD 10
- Anthony Yarde def. Ricky Summers via KO 2
- Sam Noakes def. Carlos Perez via PTS 6
- Zach Parker def. Khalid Graidia via TKO 7
- Ezra Taylor def. Joel McIntyre via TKO 8
- Royston Barney-Smith def. Engel Gomez via PTS 6
- Moses Itauma def. Amine Boucetta via TKO 1
- Tommy Fletcher def. Alberto Tapia via TKO 6
Credit: Reuters Mystic Fury?
Tyson Fury made it clear he was backing Zhang to repeat the result - and that is exactly what he did.
Fury predicted: “Tough fight again. 50/50.
"But you’d have to favour the champion, because one he’s just beat him already, knocked him out, and two his confidence will be high knowing he can win
.
"Before he wasn’t sure, now he knows.”
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
No average Joe
Joe Joyce's former manager Sam Jones has warned not to rule out the beaten Brit just yet.
Jones tweeted: "Joe Joyce was not himself last time no idea what went on but it wasn’t him in there.
"I don’t want to discredit Zhang he won fair and square but if Joe Joyce is the Joe Joyce I know he will win tonight and win in style.
"Write him off at your peril."
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun Report
Joe Joyce's top-level career was ended by a sensational right hook from 21st Chinese monster Zhilei Zhang.
The Juggernaut celebrated his 38th birthday on Tuesday and only wanted rematch revenge over the man who battered his eye shut in April for a gift.
But it was an even more brutal end to the bout - and Joyce’s dreams of ever fulfilling his early potential to be a heavyweight world champion - when gun-loving Zhang destroyed his chin with a surprise right hook.
The opener was a stinker with only one real punch thrown, a left from southpaw Zhang that Joyce caught and parried away.
It was a massive relief to the packed Wembley arena supporting the Putney man as every dig Zhang threw five months earlier landed and damaged our man’s eye.
The second round livened up as soon as Zhang landed a crisp one-two and his few Chinese fans started drowning out the Brits.
Joyce vs Zhang
Zhang has called on the fans to goad Tyson Fury into a fight.
He said: "I want to ask the audience, do you want to see me shut Tyson Fury up?"
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun Joyce vs Zhang
Zhang says: "I'm happy, I'm happy.
"I feel very happy, like I said before the fight it was going to end sooner than the first fight."
Zhang adds that he "respects" Joyce following their two shared fights.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun Joyce vs Zhang
JOE JOYCE HAS BEEN KNOCKED OUT!
A counter lead right hook landed by Zhang right at the end of round three and left Joyce knocked out.
Joyce tried his best to get up but the fight was already over. Zhang wins by brutal KO.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun Joyce vs Zhang
Round 3 – Joyce is really struggling to evade these shots and Zhang is unloading.
Another big left hand sends Joyce tottering to the ropes, the Brit can't seem to get going here.
IT'S OVER!
Joyce vs Zhang
Round 2 – JOYCE IS WOBBLED!
Big left hand from Zhang had Joyce shaken but the Londoner did fire back in response.
Zhang ends the round with a flurry of combinations that had Joyce again looking rocked. Big start from the Chinese star.
Joyce vs Zhang
Round 1 - Very tentative first round.
Almost nothing to split the pair, both circling each other and refusing to commit.
Couple body shots went in either way but nothing damaging.
Joyce vs Zhang
Here we go!
Joyce comes out pawing out the jab, Zhang looks patient.
Already Joyce is circling to his left, away from the left hand.
Zhang-tastic entrance
And now here comes Zhilei Zhang!
Can he do the double on Joyce and potentially end the Brit into retirement?
Similarly, at 40 a loss for Zhang could leave his career in tatters.
Right Joyce
Joe Joyce has taken an unusual measure to ensure a victory, resorting to the use of an electric skateboard.
He lost to Zhang back in April in what was the 38-year-old's first professional loss, but he has found a new way to clear his head after the heartbreak of losing his unbeaten record.
Instead of going for a stroll or zoning out to some music, he has instead been heading out on his one-wheel skateboard.
Speaking to the Daily Star about what's helped him move past the defeat, he said: "I got out in nature on my one wheel skateboard thing, that helped me.
"Going to see family and friends. Reviewing the footage as well and seeing where I went wrong. It wasn’t that I was thinking, it was a distraction and something to feel good about and enjoy.
“I have hobbies away from boxing, I swim, dive, cycle and the one wheel is my new thing. It helps me take my mind off it and enjoy life. It means it’s not boxing, boxing, boxing.”
London calling
Yarde has called out Joshua Buatsi!
Buatsi first faces Dan Azeez on October 21 but Yarde says if he wants that is the fight he wants next.
He even went as far to say a verbal agreement has been struck between the pair to box in 2024.
Credit: Reuters
Yarde wins KO R2
Silva gets slashed about the stomach and bounced off the ropes but he is brave.
Yarde plays with his food and lets the underdog recover.
Then he piles and batters Silva into submission in his own corner.
Yarde vs Silva R1
Yarde's heavy hands fly back into action and Silva feels the wrath of his golden gloves.
The Portuguese is hurt a couple of times, to skull and torso, but doesn't drop.
Yarde is coasting and will win the second he steps on the gas.
Yarde vs Silva
Eight months ago Yarde suffered a punishing loss to light-heavyweight monster Artur Beterbiev.
This is his comeback and it is a gimme against Jorge Silva, he will win in style and probably early.
But he earned an easy one after giving his all against the terrifying hairy Russian and going out on his shield.
Itauma wins TKO R1
An uppecut drops the poor Belgian, he beats the count and winks at his corner!
Bad move.
Itauma ups the ante and batters him until the towel flies in to save him.