Joe Joyce is scheduled to fight against Zhilei Zhang on April 15th, 2023, as he continues his recent impressive form.
In September 2022, he achieved the most significant win of his career by knocking out former champion Joseph Parker in the 11th round.
The WBO has awarded Joyce with the ‘interim’ title, which guarantees him the opportunity to challenge the reigning champion, Oleksandr Usyk, provided that he comes out unscathed against Zhang.
π₯ π§ππ ππ¨ππππ₯π‘ππ¨π§ π₯ππ§π¨π₯π‘π¦ π§π’ πππ§ππ’π‘ π₯
π Joe Joyce π Zhang Zhilei
WBO Interim Heavyweight Championship π
π₯ #JoyceZhang | π Saturday, April 15th | πΊ BT Sport pic.twitter.com/1IiXsVVPnu
— Boxing on BT Sport π₯ (@BTSportBoxing) April 10, 2023
The latter faced the undefeated Filip Hrgovic in his last fight, and while he came out second best, it was a fight that could have swung either way on the scorecards.
And given his southpaw stance, coupled with his experience, albeit at the age of 39, Joyce has his work cut out if he is not on his A-game.
And that motivation has only been added to following the WBO’s insistence that Daniel Dubois get the first shot at Usyk as a WBA mandatory.
Clearly, that left Joyce irked, given that he had beaten Dubois himself with a ten-round knockout.
“It is annoying. Itβs really annoying that Dubois is ahead in the queue, and [Filip] Hrgovic as well. Itβs out of my control and unfortunate.
“But fortunate for Dubois to come off a devastating loss [to me] and then be before me in the selection for the [shot at Usyk]. Only in boxing would this stuff happen. Nothing really surprises me,” Joyce speaking to Sky Sports
But one thing that has gotten Joyce revved up has been the possibility of facing Tyson Fury. The βGypsy Kingβ had been on course to face Usyk in what would have been an undisputed clash.
While that may have been the case, talks ultimately broke down, which may have paved the way for Joyce to face Fury.
“Iβm hoping for that fight. Me and Tyson Fury would be a great British summer fight. Thatβs why Iβm fighting a southpaw now, because Iβm getting prepared for one of these title fights, Usyk or Tyson Fury.
“Iβm ready. With Fury, itβs a massive fight. Everyone wants to see it. Itβs a great fight in the making,” BoxingScene.com