Zhilei Zhang has vowed to put an end to Joe Joyce’s career when they meet for their heavyweight rematch on September 2nd, 2023, from the OVO Arena Wembley.
Zhang emerged victorious in April after Joyce suffered a cut to his eye, resulting in excessive swelling and a sixth-round defeat.
As a result, Joyce lost his WBO heavyweight interim title, which made him the mandatory challenger to face Oleksandr Usyk.
Additionally, a super fight with Tyson Fury was also out of the window, as Joyce opted for a rematch with Zhang.
While Joyce is now seeking revenge and looking to reclaim his title, Zhang has other ideas.
“I would have chosen to fight one or two interim fights if I was him. I don’t know why his team is in such a rush to make it happen.
“I feel like his team made a mistake for the first fight, and now they’re probably going to make the second mistake, and if I beat Joe Joyce again his career’s going to end.
“Their team didn’t do comprehensive homework on what I do; what I am. They need to study me more. That’s the mistake. They underestimated me,” Zhang
It is make or break for Joyce’s career. If he aspires to have mega fights with Fury or become a mandatory challenger for Usyk, a victory is vital.
And at the age of 37 losing to a 40-year-old Zhang, back-to-back, is not something the Brit can afford to do.