Zhilei Zhang-Joe Joyce Heavyweight Rematch to Stream in the U.S. LIVE on ESPN+
Grudge match headlines card from OVO Arena Wembley in London – Light heavyweight puncher Anthony Yarde returns in undercard action
Five months since Chinese southpaw Zhilei “Big Bang” Zhang, set the heavyweight division into a shock with a thunderous knockout, the stage is set for him to repeat the feat. Zhang’s rematch against the UK’s Joe Joyce is scheduled for Saturday, 23rd September at OVO Arena Wembley in London, to be exclusively and live on ESPN+.
The much-anticipated event, titled Zhang-Joyce II, features the comeback of two-time light heavyweight title aspirant Anthony Yarde against Ricky Summers, alongside additional undercard action, all starting at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT.
Zhang, who boasts a record of 25-1-1 with 20 knockouts, stands at an imposing 6’6” and weighs in at over 275 lbs, living up to his resonant nickname. He earned an Olympic silver medal for China at the 2008 Beijing Olympics before turning pro in 2014, accumulating a 24-0-1 record prior to his contentious defeat to Filip Hrgovic in August of the previous year. Fast forward less than eight months, Zhang squared off with Joyce at London’s Copper Box Arena, unleashing a barrage of punishing lefts that compelled the ringside doctor to halt the fight in the sixth round owing to Joyce’s severely swollen right eye. In doing so, Zhang usurped Joyce’s WBO interim world title.
Eager for vengeance on his home turf, Joyce (15-1, 14 KOs), a 2016 Olympic silver medalist, is looking to reclaim his lost glory. Before his defeat to Zhang, “The Juggernaut” was considered an unstoppable force in the ring, having terminated top contenders Carlos Takam, Daniel Dubois, and Joseph Parker during a five-match knockout spree. Joyce turned pro in October 2017, securing the Commonwealth title in his fourth venture into the ring.
Zhang Joyce 2 fight card
- Zhilei Zhang vs. Joe Joyce; For Zhang’s WBO interim heavyweight title
- Anthony Yarde vs. TBA; Light heavyweight
- Sam Noakes vs. Carlos Perez; Lightweight
- Pierce O’Leary vs. Kane Gardner; Super lightweight
- Zach Parker vs. Khalid Graidia; Super middleweight
- Ezra Taylor vs. Joel McIntyre; Light heavyweight
- Royston Barney-Smith vs. TBA; Super featherweight
- Moses Itauma vs. Amine Boucetta; Heavyweight
- Tommy Fletcher vs. TBA; Cruiserweight
- Aloys Youmbi vs, Erik Nazaryan; Cruiserweight
- Sean Noakes vs. TBA; Welterweight