Victory by China’s ‘Massive Bang’ Zhang makes him the WBO’s obligatory challenger to Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk.
China’s Zhilei “Massive Bang” Zhang has set his sights on Ukraine’s heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk after dealing Britain’s Joe Joyce his first skilled defeat.
Referee Howard Foster stopped the struggle within the sixth of 12 scheduled rounds at London’s Copper Field Area on Saturday night time after the ringside physician had twice inspected Joyce’s hyped up proper eye, which was nearly closed.
“Immediately belongs to me,” Zhang mentioned by a translator after punching the air and shouting, “Chinese language energy”. “… I’m 39 years previous, however I’m disciplined. I prepare onerous. Subsequent step, I’m going for the title.”
Two of the three judges had Zhang forward at that time. The victory for Zhang marked a comeback from his first profession defeat by Croatian Filip Hrgovic in August.
Joyce, 37, was the WBO interim champion within the division, a title that successfully made him the WBO’s obligatory challenger for WBO, IBO, IBF and WBA champion Usyk. Britain’s Tyson Fury holds the WBC title.
Joyce had been eyeing potential fights with Usyk, Fury or Anthony Joshua within the build-up to his struggle with Zhang.
However the Chinese language fighter had his shorter and lighter opponent in bother from early on as Joyce offered a static goal for Zhang’s booming left hand and loads of work for his nook as cuts opened up.
“I’m simply upset with my efficiency,” Joyce instructed BT Sport after what was his sixteenth professional struggle. “The precise hand he stored hitting me with. I couldn’t get out of the way in which, so respect to Zhilei Zhang, ‘Massive Bang’. I haven’t fought a southpaw for thus lengthy. … I anticipated to win like I usually do.
“I’ll be again. My journey’s not over. That is only a hurdle I could have tripped over, so I’ll be again.”
Promoter George Warren mentioned Joyce might search a rematch with Zhang.
