Well, that wraps up this match I knew that it would continue where they take off, Joe Joyce noticeably added some weight he is more defensive this time, but up to round two only then after that he resorts to his own self of attacking and that's his biggest mistake because Zhang is good in countering.
I hate to see Joyce losing this way it's an ugly loss something that Joyce will have to deal with for the rest of his fighting career if he wants to continue he needs to reflect and if possible get a good trainer and team to get him back on top, this is not going to be easy but we'll see more of Joyce because he is not retiring yet.
The spotlight is on Zhang after this sensational knockout, I'm sure Zhang will have a title shot, he si considering Fury but we'll see if this materializes after the match against Fury and Ngannou.
Topic: Zhang Vs Joyce II WBO Interim World Heavyweight Championship (Read 512 times)
September 24, 2023, 09:23:10 AM
I think Joyce's career is already over. I would love to see him fight Tyson Fury; both are clever, but I think Fury would win easily.
In his interview, he said that he would reflect and would come back again but this loss clearly exposes his weakness do you think he can beat the likes of Tyson Fury and Usyk the way he fights lack of head movement, he is easily hit, I don't know if he will have a chance to be a World champion again he needs to improve vastly.
Maybe he can be champion in England but I doubt if he can as a World Champion there are a lot of great boxers ahead of him and Zhang is not even the toughest in the heavyweight.
Joyce should be removed from the conversation; it should be Zhang who will be fighting Fury because he is the champion, and it will be the unification bout that will happen. Fury is the current WBC champion, while Zhang holds the WBO title, making it a great fight to witness.
Maybe Joyce will be given an opportunity to fight a non-champion, like Wilder or Joshua, but I doubt he would win against either of the two.
Joyce is already 38 years old, not young anymore, so I expect that we are already witnessing the end of his career.
WBO can mandate both for unification. We have not seen that happen for a long time, it's gonna be big but it's one heck of a history if we see a Chinese HW to be the baddest on the planet. Fury is fighting Ngannou next month, however.
And I'm not sure if those boxing organizations are ready to see that happening. Let's say they want it to happen, Zhang will probably request the fight to be in China. Xi Jinping would love to butt in and you can be sure of a 100% win by Zhang.
September 24, 2023, 09:00:39 AM
I think Joyce's career is already over. I would love to see him fight Tyson Fury; both are clever, but I think Fury would win easily.
In his interview, he said that he would reflect and would come back again but this loss clearly exposes his weakness do you think he can beat the likes of Tyson Fury and Usyk the way he fights lack of head movement, he is easily hit, I don't know if he will have a chance to be a World champion again he needs to improve vastly.
Maybe he can be champion in England but I doubt if he can as a World Champion there are a lot of great boxers ahead of him and Zhang is not even the toughest in the heavyweight.
Joyce should be removed from the conversation; it should be Zhang who will be fighting Fury because he is the champion, and it will be the unification bout that will happen. Fury is the current WBC champion, while Zhang holds the WBO title, making it a great fight to witness.
Maybe Joyce will be given an opportunity to fight a non-champion, like Wilder or Joshua, but I doubt he would win against either of the two.
Joyce is already 38 years old, not young anymore, so I expect that we are already witnessing the end of his career.
September 24, 2023, 08:59:00 AM
It seems that the boxing community here has predicted it right, Zhang by KO, those who voted got it 85% and hopefully they got the win here as the odds are very close if I'm not mistaken.
And if I'm going to describe the performance of Zhang, it's methodical, he just wait and stalk and see what Joyce will offer to him in the first couple of rounds. And after his read, he started to work, body shots to confused Joyce early and hit he target practice Joyce chin with that big right hand. I thought that it will be the uppercut that might closed the show, but still Zhang for the KO win.
Here is the video of the fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so0miye3rYs
And if I'm going to describe the performance of Zhang, it's methodical, he just wait and stalk and see what Joyce will offer to him in the first couple of rounds. And after his read, he started to work, body shots to confused Joyce early and hit he target practice Joyce chin with that big right hand. I thought that it will be the uppercut that might closed the show, but still Zhang for the KO win.
Here is the video of the fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so0miye3rYs
Not me. I truly believe the first fight was just a fluke. But Joyce looks very scared already even in the first round. That right hook was planned, Zhang knew he was about to KO Joyce.
It's a good thing that I have not seen this thread up yesterday for I would have bet for Joyce to win thinking Zhang's win was just a lucky win due to Joyce's eyesight. I was focused on UFC FFight Night.
Joyce did not say anything about retiring but I think this is his last already.
Good for you mate, at least you didn't get some money to lose on Joyce here. But it seems that Joyce is still affected mentally by the first fight because he has been reluctant to throw his power punches, and very defensive as others have noted.
And so it's hard to overcome if you are afraid to throw your shots and just play defense because it won't work. And then Zhang really goes off in the 3rd round and Joyce had no answer. He try with his jabs, but it was not sharp enough to even stop Zhang from taking his offense and it was a perfect shot and I don't see him recovering from that huge right, it was a perfect counter. Joyce might have to take a rest for the rest of the year and re-group.
Joyce was tagged in the 2nd round also, it broke the spirit in him. Even if he gets up after the KO in the 3rd round, he will not last a second if the referee allows the fight to continue. He was flat face down after a huge boulder hit his face. He may look like he instantly recovered but the referee understood, it's time to stop or Joyce will embarrass himself.
Quite a fight. I would have enjoyed it more if I just watched it live. Ngannou vs Zhang is a bit early to talk about but I would be rooting for Ngannou. I'm a fan.
September 24, 2023, 08:45:50 AM
I think Joyce's career is already over. I would love to see him fight Tyson Fury; both are clever, but I think Fury would win easily.
In his interview, he said that he would reflect and would come back again but this loss clearly exposes his weakness do you think he can beat the likes of Tyson Fury and Usyk the way he fights lack of head movement, he is easily hit, I don't know if he will have a chance to be a World champion again he needs to improve vastly.
Maybe he can be champion in England but I doubt if he can as a World Champion there are a lot of great boxers ahead of him and Zhang is not even the toughest in the heavyweight.
September 24, 2023, 07:11:10 AM
And if I'm going to describe the performance of Zhang, it's methodical, he just wait and stalk and see what Joyce will offer to him in the first couple of rounds. And after his read, he started to work, body shots to confused Joyce early and hit he target practice Joyce chin with that big right hand. I thought that it will be the uppercut that might closed the show, but still Zhang for the KO win.
I agree with your observation Joyce did not show something different, he concentrated on his defense but when Zhang started to hit the target he resorted to being himself going toe-to-toe hoping that would stop Zhang's offense, unfortunately, Zhang was prepared because he could take Joyce's power, Zhang speed and power could match Tyson Fury's style so it's going to be an exciting fight I hope this match materialize.
We love to see two big guys with almost the same style as they always say style makes a fight so a Tyson = Zhang fight is going to be worth watching.
Joyce thought that Zhang was just lucky when they first met, so he didn't make an adjustment. He was very slow, probably just relying on his power, but Zhang knows how to counter him. It's a pity that we didn't see this fight last longer; it ended early with a dominant win by Zhang. Last time it went 6 rounds, this time it was just 3 rounds. I think we need to see a unification fight because Zhang is already 40 years old and nearing retirement.
September 24, 2023, 06:13:05 AM
And if I'm going to describe the performance of Zhang, it's methodical, he just wait and stalk and see what Joyce will offer to him in the first couple of rounds. And after his read, he started to work, body shots to confused Joyce early and hit he target practice Joyce chin with that big right hand. I thought that it will be the uppercut that might closed the show, but still Zhang for the KO win.
I agree with your observation Joyce did not show something different, he concentrated on his defense but when Zhang started to hit the target he resorted to being himself going toe-to-toe hoping that would stop Zhang's offense, unfortunately, Zhang was prepared because he could take Joyce's power, Zhang speed and power could match Tyson Fury's style so it's going to be an exciting fight I hope this match materialize.
We love to see two big guys with almost the same style as they always say style makes a fight so a Tyson = Zhang fight is going to be worth watching.
September 24, 2023, 04:36:56 AM
And if I'm going to describe the performance of Zhang, it's methodical, he just wait and stalk and see what Joyce will offer to him in the first couple of rounds. And after his read, he started to work, body shots to confused Joyce early and hit he target practice Joyce chin with that big right hand. I thought that it will be the uppercut that might closed the show, but still Zhang for the KO win.
I agree with your observation Joyce did not show something different, he concentrated on his defense but when Zhang started to hit the target he resorted to being himself going toe-to-toe hoping that would stop Zhang's offense, unfortunately, Zhang was prepared because he could take Joyce's power, Zhang speed and power could match Tyson Fury's style so it's going to be an exciting fight I hope this match materialize.
We love to see two big guys with almost the same style as they always say style makes a fight so a Tyson = Zhang fight is going to be worth watching.
September 24, 2023, 04:07:48 AM
It seems that the boxing community here has predicted it right, Zhang by KO, those who voted got it 85% and hopefully they got the win here as the odds are very close if I'm not mistaken.
And if I'm going to describe the performance of Zhang, it's methodical, he just wait and stalk and see what Joyce will offer to him in the first couple of rounds. And after his read, he started to work, body shots to confused Joyce early and hit he target practice Joyce chin with that big right hand. I thought that it will be the uppercut that might closed the show, but still Zhang for the KO win.
Here is the video of the fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so0miye3rYs
And if I'm going to describe the performance of Zhang, it's methodical, he just wait and stalk and see what Joyce will offer to him in the first couple of rounds. And after his read, he started to work, body shots to confused Joyce early and hit he target practice Joyce chin with that big right hand. I thought that it will be the uppercut that might closed the show, but still Zhang for the KO win.
Here is the video of the fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so0miye3rYs
Not me. I truly believe the first fight was just a fluke. But Joyce looks very scared already even in the first round. That right hook was planned, Zhang knew he was about to KO Joyce.
It's a good thing that I have not seen this thread up yesterday for I would have bet for Joyce to win thinking Zhang's win was just a lucky win due to Joyce's eyesight. I was focused on UFC FFight Night.
Joyce did not say anything about retiring but I think this is his last already.
Good for you mate, at least you didn't get some money to lose on Joyce here. But it seems that Joyce is still affected mentally by the first fight because he has been reluctant to throw his power punches, and very defensive as others have noted.
And so it's hard to overcome if you are afraid to throw your shots and just play defense because it won't work. And then Zhang really goes off in the 3rd round and Joyce had no answer. He try with his jabs, but it was not sharp enough to even stop Zhang from taking his offense and it was a perfect shot and I don't see him recovering from that huge right, it was a perfect counter. Joyce might have to take a rest for the rest of the year and re-group.
September 24, 2023, 03:30:20 AM
It seems that the boxing community here has predicted it right, Zhang by KO, those who voted got it 85% and hopefully they got the win here as the odds are very close if I'm not mistaken.
And if I'm going to describe the performance of Zhang, it's methodical, he just wait and stalk and see what Joyce will offer to him in the first couple of rounds. And after his read, he started to work, body shots to confused Joyce early and hit he target practice Joyce chin with that big right hand. I thought that it will be the uppercut that might closed the show, but still Zhang for the KO win.
Here is the video of the fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so0miye3rYs
And if I'm going to describe the performance of Zhang, it's methodical, he just wait and stalk and see what Joyce will offer to him in the first couple of rounds. And after his read, he started to work, body shots to confused Joyce early and hit he target practice Joyce chin with that big right hand. I thought that it will be the uppercut that might closed the show, but still Zhang for the KO win.
Here is the video of the fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so0miye3rYs
Not me. I truly believe the first fight was just a fluke. But Joyce looks very scared already even in the first round. That right hook was planned, Zhang knew he was about to KO Joyce.
It's a good thing that I have not seen this thread up yesterday for I would have bet for Joyce to win thinking Zhang's win was just a lucky win due to Joyce's eyesight. I was focused on UFC FFight Night.
Joyce did not say anything about retiring but I think this is his last already.
The fight was ugly for Joyce he was not doing anything right he was trying but he had a hard time with Southpaws and he admitted that, in the first fight Zhang dominated Joyce and imposed his will here in the second fight he dominated him again but this time he is more precise patiently wait for him.
Joyce is not going to retire he wants to take time and reflect on these losses he is taking another route going to the top he did not elaborate he is open to a rematch against Dubois, let's see if it's going to happen, Zhang will have to wait after the Fury - Ngannou match before they offer a deal to Tyson.
September 24, 2023, 02:16:15 AM
It seems that the boxing community here has predicted it right, Zhang by KO, those who voted got it 85% and hopefully they got the win here as the odds are very close if I'm not mistaken.
And if I'm going to describe the performance of Zhang, it's methodical, he just wait and stalk and see what Joyce will offer to him in the first couple of rounds. And after his read, he started to work, body shots to confused Joyce early and hit he target practice Joyce chin with that big right hand. I thought that it will be the uppercut that might closed the show, but still Zhang for the KO win.
Here is the video of the fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so0miye3rYs
And if I'm going to describe the performance of Zhang, it's methodical, he just wait and stalk and see what Joyce will offer to him in the first couple of rounds. And after his read, he started to work, body shots to confused Joyce early and hit he target practice Joyce chin with that big right hand. I thought that it will be the uppercut that might closed the show, but still Zhang for the KO win.
Here is the video of the fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so0miye3rYs
Not me. I truly believe the first fight was just a fluke. But Joyce looks very scared already even in the first round. That right hook was planned, Zhang knew he was about to KO Joyce.
It's a good thing that I have not seen this thread up yesterday for I would have bet for Joyce to win thinking Zhang's win was just a lucky win due to Joyce's eyesight. I was focused on UFC FFight Night.
Joyce did not say anything about retiring but I think this is his last already.
September 24, 2023, 01:46:04 AM
It seems that the boxing community here has predicted it right, Zhang by KO, those who voted got it 85% and hopefully they got the win here as the odds are very close if I'm not mistaken.
And if I'm going to describe the performance of Zhang, it's methodical, he just wait and stalk and see what Joyce will offer to him in the first couple of rounds. And after his read, he started to work, body shots to confused Joyce early and hit he target practice Joyce chin with that big right hand. I thought that it will be the uppercut that might closed the show, but still Zhang for the KO win.
Here is the video of the fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so0miye3rYs
And if I'm going to describe the performance of Zhang, it's methodical, he just wait and stalk and see what Joyce will offer to him in the first couple of rounds. And after his read, he started to work, body shots to confused Joyce early and hit he target practice Joyce chin with that big right hand. I thought that it will be the uppercut that might closed the show, but still Zhang for the KO win.
Here is the video of the fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so0miye3rYs
September 23, 2023, 10:31:56 PM
Zhang retains his interim heavyweight title by KO in round 3. The Chinese fighter had a much easier night than their previous match. Zhang is slow and technically deficient but Joyce had no defense and ate too many heavy punches which he was not able to resist. He is still Usyk's mandatory but I see his possibilities of winning as very slim. At 40 years old he is not going to improve enough to beat a top pound for pound fighter.
And I think the strategy of Joyce or at least from this trainer perspective is for him to gain extra pounds, as he weight281.2 pounds, 25.2 pounds heavier than he was for their first fight.
They think that adding more pounds might help Joyce absorb that power. But it just makes him slow, and most likely not playing defense because again, he thinks that he can just take that power and not be affected by it. They are completely wrong as there's no doubt that Zhang has power and it seems they still underestimated him in the rematch.
The way I see it, Joyce is thinking too much of defense. He became too focused on having to protect his eyes, his left face. Although he's moving according to plan, that plan is basically all about defense. He's moving left all the time, and very consciously, thinking carefully not to stray away from that strategy, to be always safe from Zhang's powerful left.
I couldn't see how they're actually planning to hurt Zhang and shake him and destroy whatever offensive game plan they have in mind. By focusing too much on defense, it made Zhang very comfortable. He's not attacked. He's left free to devise a plan. And then Joyce got killed by a right.
I would say in the first 2 rounds, yes, he was all for defense and Joyce tucked his chin under that right hand. But Zhang noticed it and so he goes to the body but still throws much of his punch in the face to open up Joyce and I think there's blood coming from the nose of Joyce just after 2 rounds.
But in round 3 in was totally different Joyce, all strategy was thrown out in the window. He try to go toe to toe and I would say that he has success. Until in the last seconds of round 3 wherein that looping or straight right hand of Zhang connected perfectly and Joyce just go down in the canvass and wasn't able to beat the count. And even if he beats it, he was damage again and it's just a matter of time before Zhang can knock him out for good.
September 23, 2023, 10:25:03 PM
Zhang retains his interim heavyweight title by KO in round 3. The Chinese fighter had a much easier night than their previous match. Zhang is slow and technically deficient but Joyce had no defense and ate too many heavy punches which he was not able to resist. He is still Usyk's mandatory but I see his possibilities of winning as very slim. At 40 years old he is not going to improve enough to beat a top pound for pound fighter.
And I think the strategy of Joyce or at least from this trainer perspective is for him to gain extra pounds, as he weight281.2 pounds, 25.2 pounds heavier than he was for their first fight.
They think that adding more pounds might help Joyce absorb that power. But it just makes him slow, and most likely not playing defense because again, he thinks that he can just take that power and not be affected by it. They are completely wrong as there's no doubt that Zhang has power and it seems they still underestimated him in the rematch.
The way I see it, Joyce is thinking too much of defense. He became too focused on having to protect his eyes, his left face. Although he's moving according to plan, that plan is basically all about defense. He's moving left all the time, and very consciously, thinking carefully not to stray away from that strategy, to be always safe from Zhang's powerful left.
I couldn't see how they're actually planning to hurt Zhang and shake him and destroy whatever offensive game plan they have in mind. By focusing too much on defense, it made Zhang very comfortable. He's not attacked. He's left free to devise a plan. And then Joyce got killed by a right.
September 23, 2023, 10:11:22 PM
Zhang retains his interim heavyweight title by KO in round 3. The Chinese fighter had a much easier night than their previous match. Zhang is slow and technically deficient but Joyce had no defense and ate too many heavy punches which he was not able to resist. He is still Usyk's mandatory but I see his possibilities of winning as very slim. At 40 years old he is not going to improve enough to beat a top pound for pound fighter.
And I think the strategy of Joyce or at least from this trainer perspective is for him to gain extra pounds, as he weight281.2 pounds, 25.2 pounds heavier than he was for their first fight.
They think that adding more pounds might help Joyce absorb that power. But it just makes him slow, and most likely not playing defense because again, he thinks that he can just take that power and not be affected by it. They are completely wrong as there's no doubt that Zhang has power and it seems they still underestimated him in the rematch.
September 23, 2023, 09:49:18 PM
Zhang retains his interim heavyweight title by KO in round 3. The Chinese fighter had a much easier night than their previous match. Zhang is slow and technically deficient but Joyce had no defense and ate too many heavy punches which he was not able to resist. He is still Usyk's mandatory but I see his possibilities of winning as very slim. At 40 years old he is not going to improve enough to beat a top pound for pound fighter.
Wow, in just 3 rounds? I don't think that Joyce can come back from this crushing defeat, and it just shows that although Zhang is old, his style might be very difficult for Joyce.
So it's over for the hype on Joyce now, no more big money fights for him at the HW for the meantime. On the other hand, it is good to see Zhang pair against top HW like Usyk or maybe Dubois for another stepping stone fight.
September 23, 2023, 06:37:20 PM
Zhang retains his interim heavyweight title by KO in round 3. The Chinese fighter had a much easier night than their previous match. Zhang is slow and technically deficient but Joyce had no defense and ate too many heavy punches which he was not able to resist. He is still Usyk's mandatory but I see his possibilities of winning as very slim. At 40 years old he is not going to improve enough to beat a top pound for pound fighter.
The fight takes off where they left it in their first match but this time Zhang is more accurate with his punches and the added weight does not do good for Joyce he is slow and his punches are telepathic I just knew on the first minute of the round that it's going to be a short fight.
Joyce has no confidence in his punches and he has a hard time seeing those punches coming, so it's going to be Usyk-Zhang I think Zhang has a better chance than Dubois I'll be looking for that fight, and as for Joyce his rating will drop and his career will have a backseat his not a top contender anymore for World title.
September 23, 2023, 05:31:02 PM
Zhang retains his interim heavyweight title by KO in round 3. The Chinese fighter had a much easier night than their previous match. Zhang is slow and technically deficient but Joyce had no defense and ate too many heavy punches which he was not able to resist. He is still Usyk's mandatory but I see his possibilities of winning as very slim. At 40 years old he is not going to improve enough to beat a top pound for pound fighter.
September 22, 2023, 09:57:55 AM
On paper, Joyce is the superior boxer, but the outcome of the first fight has added an element of unpredictability. With the odds now even, bettors who believe in Joyce's comeback have a good opportunity. A knockout is quite likely, which should also make the odds more enticing.
In one interview Joyce admitted that he was surprised by Zhang's power, but he announced that he is very much prepared for this fight and he added weight to come heavier on their rematch a lot has been taken away from Joyce after that upset so we'll see if what he has learned and what he added is enough to beat Zhang.
Quote
Joe Joyce insists he “knows what to do this time around” in his rematch against Zhilei Zhang and is more focused after losing his status as an "indestructible juggernaut".
https://www.eurosport.com/boxing/i-know-what-to-do-this-time-joe-joyce-more-dedicated-and-focused-for-zhilei-zhang-rematch_sto9792124/story.shtml
Previously Joyce had 14 TKO wins and he had the opportunity to become the mandatory challenger for Oleksandr Usyk but after the first defeat everything was taken away by Zhang and tomorrow will be the last chance for Joyce to regain what he has.
In this rematch many people think or make Joyce the favorite to win the match but I will not have decisions or thoughts like that.
It would be best to watch the first few rounds before deciding to take the betting option on who will finish the fight victorious.
A TKO finish is unlikely to happen in this fight.
September 22, 2023, 09:17:17 AM
Just to be fair with Zhang though, he did his jab in the first fight, and that's why Joyce has blood in his face because Zhang has a stiff jab and Joyce didn't try to avoid it.
He thought that he can just steamroll and take his shots but he was all wrong because it has power behind and maybe we can say that he underestimated the Chinese.
So it's very unpredictable in the first fight, but Joyce is trying to bounce back and put his name again for at least a title shot.
And with that, he should have learn his lessons from the first fight and make the necessary adjustments.
He thought that he can just steamroll and take his shots but he was all wrong because it has power behind and maybe we can say that he underestimated the Chinese.
So it's very unpredictable in the first fight, but Joyce is trying to bounce back and put his name again for at least a title shot.
And with that, he should have learn his lessons from the first fight and make the necessary adjustments.
Now that Joyce has seen what beat him, I think Zhang will also make adjustments, possibly in-game adjustments, as he doesn't want to lose this fight. He's still underestimated up to this point, so if he beats Joyce in the second fight, people will recognize him as a true champion. I'm excited to see what Joyce can do in the rematch, but I'm pretty sure Zhang has also prepared for this.
Yes, same here, and looking at the odds, it's now Zhang as the slight favorite in this fight, in contract in their first fight wherein Joyce is the outstanding favorite. Nevertheless, Joyce can take this and turn it as a motivation for him to chance the outcome of the second fight in his favor.
Just wondering though if Joyce win, will there be another fight to settle the score? Or it is enough for Joyce to bounce back and put his name as the next HW fighter or face the champion next?
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