By Jake Tiernan: Zhilei Zhang says Tyson Fury doesn’t have a chin and “will go down” underneath his energy if he faces him subsequent. Zhang (25-1-1, 20 KOs) want to problem for a world title after his assertion sixth-round technical knockout over WBO interim heavyweight champion Joe Joyce on Saturday night time on the Copper Field Enviornment in London, England.
Zhang’s left-hand energy proved an excessive amount of for Joyce (15-1, 14 KOs), whose proper eye swelled closed, inflicting the ringside physician to cease the battle within the sixth spherical.
Joyce’s often impregnable chin proved weak, as he was harm within the second spherical after getting nailed by a straight left hand from Zhang. Strive as he would possibly, ‘The Juggernaut’ by no means appeared to return from that.
Joyce utilized a number of strain on Zhang in rounds three, 4, and 5, however his energy wasn’t as formidable because it had been in his latest fights in opposition to Joseph Parker, Christian Hammer, and Carlos Takam.
Maybe one purpose for that was Joyce’s weight reduction. He weighed in for this battle at 256 lbs, 15 kilos lighter than the 271 lbs he’d scaled in at for his earlier battle in opposition to Parker.
Zhang wasn’t focusing on Joyce’s proper eye
“I’m very excited and pleased right this moment. Since I harm him with the primary couple of photographs within the first spherical, I do know he can’t make it. That’s why I used to be in London, to take it [WBO interim heavyweight title] away from him,” stated Zhilei Zhang to iFL TV, reacting to his win over Joe Joyce on Saturday night time.
“I wasn’t 100% focusing on his eye space. I used to be focusing on his chin. I wished to check his chin, but it surely went to his eye, in order that’s what occurred,” stated Zhilei when requested if he was focusing on Joyce’s proper eye after it started swelling up.
“That is the start. I’m going for the title. If my group says that, let’s do this. I can go both manner,” stated Zhang about his want to battle WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury subsequent.
“Yeah, he doesn’t have that chin. He’ll go down,” stated Zhilei when requested if he might beat Fury.
“I nonetheless respect him. Truly, I respect him extra after the battle,” stated Zhang when requested if he nonetheless respects Joyce. “He’s an important fighter, very robust. He gave me a number of strain, however I made it via.
“Let’s see what Joe Joyce needs to do. If he needs a rematch, I’m right here,” stated Zhang.
It’s unlikely that Fury will conform to battle Zhang as a result of he appears extra targeted on making as a lot cash as attainable earlier than retiring. The fellows that Fury is anticipated to battle are Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury received’t danger dropping out on these cash fights by taking up a harmful puncher like Zhang and winding up like Joyce.
