Chinese language southpaw Zhilei Zhang (25-1-1, 20 KOs) earned an important victory of his profession with a surprising sixth-round TKO over undefeated hometown hero Joe Joyce (15-1, 14 KOs).
Zhang surprised Joyce with sharp left fingers within the first two rounds. Within the following spherical, Joyce tried to step up his offense, however his lack of ability to see Zhang’s left hand stunted his momentum.
By rounds 4 and 5, Zhang started comfortably touchdown his pictures from shut vary, utilizing his excessive guard protection to keep away from return fireplace as Joyce’s proper eye started to swell.
After two inspections from the ringside physician, referee Howard Foster was pressured to finish the struggle at 1:23 of spherical six.
Zhang stated, “Right this moment belongs to me. It belongs to everybody who confirmed up. It belongs to each Chinese language one that confirmed up at present.
“I’m 39 years outdated. However I’m disciplined. I prepare exhausting. The following step is for me to struggle for a world title.”
Joyce stated, “I’m simply upset with my efficiency. The [left] hand saved hitting me, and I couldn’t get out of the way in which. So, respect to Zhilei Zhang. It was a superb struggle, however I believe I might have executed higher.
“I haven’t fought a southpaw for therefore lengthy. Credit score to him as a result of he’s a superb fighter. I gave it my all, and I believe I can do higher. It’s simply disappointing. I anticipated to win like I usually do.”
Mikaela Mayer (18-1, 5 KOs) is able to take over the light-weight division. The previous unified junior light-weight champion made a profitable debut at 135 kilos by defeating Swedish contender Lucy Wildheart (10-2, 4 KOs) through unanimous resolution Saturday night time at Copper Field Enviornment in London.
The 32-year-old was initially scheduled to face Christina Linardatou, however the former two-time junior welterweight champion was pressured to withdraw after not assembly British Boxing Board of Management necessities. Wildheart, with solely 24 hours’ discover, stepped as much as the problem.
Mayer dictated the tempo by mixing sharp jabs to the pinnacle and physique earlier than unleashing brief hooks on the within. Wildheart, who’s over three inches shorter than Mayer, had some success along with her overhand proper.
By spherical three, Mayer’s left eye confirmed indicators of swelling. Within the fourth and fifth rounds, Mayer stood her floor extra and began to change on the within, starting her mixtures with hooks to the physique as an alternative of a jab.
In response to CompuBox, Mayer set new profession highs by way of physique punches, as she landed 18 within the fifth spherical and 166 all through the struggle.
Mayer captured the WBC interim light-weight title by scores of 100-90, 98-91 and 98-92, and he or she expressed her need to grow to be undisputed at her new weight class.
Mayer stated, “She stepped in on the final minute, in order that was actually gutsy of her. It’s positively an enormous struggle for her to simply bounce in at 24 hours’ discover. However she was powerful and sturdy. I see why she had the arrogance to do this, so props to her.
“I wish to struggle on the within, so as soon as I knew that she couldn’t outbox me, I made a decision to take it to her a bit of bit and attempt to break her all the way down to the physique.
“I do imagine that Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are alleged to go for his or her rematch, so assuming that also occurs, I’ll problem the winner of that. So, it’s positively actually thrilling for me. That is the place I belong. I belong in large fights. I belong in world title fights. I’m in my prime. I really feel nice, and I would like the hardest challenges potential, and proper now at 135, that’s Katie Taylor.”
Heavyweights: 18-year-old phenom Moses Itauma (3-0, 2 KOs) went the space for the primary time in his profession by defeating iron-chinned Ukrainian Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko (9-13-1, 6 KOs) through six-round unanimous resolution. Rating: 60-54.
Lightweights: Sam Noakes (11-0, 11 KOs) scored a second-round TKO in opposition to Karthik Sathish Kumar (10-1, 4 KOs). Noakes dropped Kumar as soon as within the first spherical and once more within the second earlier than referee John Latham known as a halt to the struggle at 1:17.
