The anticipated rematch between British heavyweight Joe Joyce and China’s Zhilei Zhang is slated at Wembley’s OVO Arena.
The bout is an opportunity for Joyce, 37, to reclaim his status and undefeated record, which he shockingly lost to Zhang in a sixth-round stoppage back in April. The bout was halted after Joyce's eye had swollen significantly and had been inspected twice by the ringside doctor. The Londoner is keen to take back what he perceives as rightfully his.
Watch the highlights of their previous battle here: Watch
“Last time out I lost my undefeated professional record. It was hard to take. But after the dust settled, all that will do is make me better. I’ve learned lessons. I'm ready. And I am coming for everything,” said Joyce, reflecting on his defeat. Joyce invoked the rematch clause in May, signaling his determination to regain his stature. Promoter Frank Warren acknowledged the challenges Joyce faces, stating, “Joe will acknowledge that Zhilei did a number on him at the Copper Box and he has a lot to work on to put it right.”
This rematch will not only be a redemption opportunity for Joyce, who lost his WBO ‘interim’ title, but also a chance to reclaim his position as the number one challenger for the world champion Oleksandr Usyk’s belt. “He knows what he has got to do, and his immediate future depends on him regaining his position as WBO Interim world champion,” said Warren. Meanwhile, "Big Bang" Zhang, who boasts a professional record of 25 wins, one loss, and one draw since turning professional in 2014, views the rematch with a fresh perspective. “I created history last time and I believe the best way to inherit history is to create new ones. I look at the rematch as if it was a new fight; I look at Joe Joyce as if I never fought him before. I started from zero and this is the new self,” he said.
Watch final words from Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce before the battle: Watch
In the co-main event, Anthony Yarde (23-3, 22 KOs), known as the Beast from the East, is set to renew his world title challenge against Ricky Summers (19-3-1, 6 KOs).
Yarde is making a second attempt at the world title, following his past encounters with unified world light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev and the former titan Sergey Kovalev. His opponent, Ricky Summers, last claimed victory in March over Joel McIntyre to win the English light heavyweight title. His previous attempt for the English belt ended in a narrow loss against current British and European champion Dan Azeez.
The undercard also promises a thrilling lineup of bouts, as Ireland's Pierce O’Leary (12-0, 7 KOs) will defend his WBC International super lightweight title against the UK's Kane Gardner (16-2, 7 KOs) in a bout scheduled for 10 rounds. Meanwhile, British boxer Sam Noakes (11-0, 11 KOs) will put his WBC International Silver lightweight belt on the line in a 12-round contest against Spain's Carlos Perez (19-7-2, 2 KOs).
The card also features a six-round super featherweight clash between the UK's Royston Barney-Smith (6-0, 3 KOs) and Ruslan Berchuk (14-19, 4 KOs). Additionally, Zach Parker (22-1, 16 KOs) of the UK will face off against France's Khalid Graidia (10-12-4, 2 KOs) in a 10-round super middleweight bout. Ezra Taylor (6-0, 4 KOs) and Joel McIntyre (20-7, 5 KOs) are set for an eight-round all-British light heavyweight showdown.
Moreover, the event includes two six-round cruiserweight fights. Tommy Fletcher (5-0, 4 KOs) of the UK will take on Spain's Alberto Tapia (3-4, 2 KOs), while the UK's Aloys Junior Youmbi (4-1, 4 KOs) will face Erik Nazaryan (29-33-4, 22 KOs) of Georgia. To round off the card, Moses Itauma (4-0, 2 KOs) of the UK will compete against Amine Boucetta (7-8, 0 KOs) of Morocco in a six-round heavyweight bout.
Fight card:
▪️Zhilei Zhang vs. Joe Joyce rematch, 12 rounds, for Zhang’s WBO interim heavyweight title ▪️Anthony Yarde vs. Ricky Summers, 10 rounds, light heavyweight ▪️Sam Noakes vs. Carlos Perez, 12 rounds, for Noakes’ WBC International Silver lightweight title ▪️Pierce O’Leary vs. Kane Gardner, 10 rounds, for O’Leary’s WBC International super lightweight title ▪️Zach Parker vs. Khalid Graidia, 10 rounds, super middleweight ▪️Ezra Taylor vs. Joel McIntyre, 8 rounds, light heavyweight ▪️Royston Barney-Smith vs. Ruslan Berchuk, 6 rounds, super featherweight ▪️Moses Itauma vs. Amine Boucetta, 6 rounds, heavyweight ▪️Tommy Fletcher vs. Alberto Tapia, 6 rounds, cruiserweight ▪️Aloys Junior Youmbi vs. Erik Nazaryan, 6 rounds, cruiserweight ▪️Sean Noakes vs. Lukasz Barabasz, 6 rounds, welterweight
Watch the official fight preview: Watch
