Wembley Arena, London – In a heavyweight rematch, Zhilei Zhang (26-1-1, 21 KOs) proved the first fight was no fluke with a brutal knockout of Joe Joyce (15-2, 14 KOs) in the third round.
Back in April, Zhang stunned the division when he stopped Joyce in six rounds – after Joyce’s right eye was swollen shut and the ringside doctor stopped the contest. Joyce would later exercise an immediate rematch clause.
The rematch started off with a feeling out process in the first with both not taking chances. Zhang was starting to open up more in the second, with punches starting to connect on Joyce. That forced Joyce to start exchanging more often. Zhang would connect with several heavy blows in the closing seconds.
In the third, Zhang was outlanding Joyce with heavy blows when they got in close. Zhange was unloading at times with combinations that were rocking the legs of Joyce. At the end of the round, Zhang connected with a huge counter right that sent Joyce down and out on his face – with the fight being waved off.
Credit: Boxing Scene