After becoming the WBO interim world Heavyweight champion in September of 2022, Joe Joyce is now set to defend his title for the first time against Chinese Heavyweight contender Zhang Zhilei. The title bout will be held in the UK at the Copper Box Arena, on April 15.
Joe Joyce (15-0, 14 KO’s) first won the title after a pivotal match against Joseph Parker (31-3, 21 KO’s) where he knocked the New Zealander out in the eleventh round. As he waits for a chance to face the full WBO champion, Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KO’s), he will defend his interim title for the first time against a respected fighter in Zhang Zhilei (24-1-1, 19 KO’s). Zhilei last impressed in a fight against Filip Hrgovic (15-0, 12 KO’s) on the Joshua vs. Usyk II undercard, and despite the loss he suffered, his reputation seems to only have solidified since then.
A fluent Southpaw, Zhilei showed off his tenacity and work rate in his fight with Hrgovic, and as a southpaw presents a new challenge to Joe Joyce who has yet to face a southpaw-stanced fighter at the top level.
At the same time, Joyce’s overwhelming record of 14 KO’s in 15 matches – while remaining unbeaten – makes him the hardest adversary Zhang Zhilei has faced so far. The one benefit both seem to have is that they are around the same age; Joyce is 37-years old while Zhilei is 39. In that sense, neither of the two can truly claim an advantage against one another based on youth.
Though the winner of the fight will – as the interim champion – gain a legitimate chance to fight the holder of the WBO Heavyweight world title, with an undisputed Heavyweight fight still being negotiated for this year, a potential unification between the interim holder and full title holder will likely not occur until late in the year, or even 2024.
Tickets for the fight will be made available on February 15, and those planning to watch from home will be able to purchase the fight for tv or broadband through the specified channels of BT Sport. The fight is promoted by Frank Warren and his Queensberry Promotions who have had Joyce as their client since 2019.
