Joe Joyce vows to fell Chinese giant Zhilei Zhang in April slugfest to set up dream title showdown with Fury or Usyk
JOE JOYCE wants to lose his rag and wipe the floor with China’s giant Zhilei Zhang.
The 37-year-old Putney Juggernaut faces the giant 39-year-old on April 15 at East London’s Copper Box arena.
The future is looking bright for Joe Joyce after his victory over Joseph Parker last yearRichard Pelham / The Sun
PAZhang is set to pose a difficult test for Joyce[/caption]
The 6ft 6in iron-jawed ace is on a flying run of form, with recent wins over Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker.
While 6ft 6in ‘Big Bang Zhang’ suffered a harsh points loss last time out against Filip Hrgovic and is now 24-1-1.
Joyce is the mandatory challenger for the WBO heavyweight world title currently around Oleksandr Usyk‘s waist, so he could be at the front of the queue for the winner of Usyk and Tyson Fury’s planned April 29 undisputed decider.
Predicting a slugfest, Joyce roared: “It will be carnage in the centre of the ring!
“I have lost my temper a few times in sparring and once was against a come-forward southpaw who was trying to knock me out. It was an exciting spar.
“I think with me and Zhang there will be real heavy punches exchanged and I am sure it will be a good fight.
“It will be a good preparation for Usyk or Fury, plus I haven’t fought a southpaw since I won the Commonwealth title against Lenroy Thomas.”
Zhang is a huge attraction in China and was earmarked as a possible Anthony Joshua comeback opponent.
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But he has slipped down the pecking order since he was robbed in Saudi Arabia, on the last AJ vs Usyk undercard, and Joyce agrees he will be out for revenge.
“He had a tough fight against Hrgovic,” Joyce said. “But I thought he won the fight.
“Zhang is a big, strong southpaw who is massive and he has been to the Olympics and all that. So, he has the experience and I think it will be a great fight.
“He bangs so I will have to watch out for it. As Hrgovic and I have a similar style, they had a great fight, so when we fight it should be entertaining.”
