Joe Joyce Next Fight Opponent Revealed, Date, Location And Venue

Joyce’s Next Bout Expected to be Confirmed This Week

An official announcement is expected this week for Joe Joyce’s next fight, with reports indicating that the British heavyweight will face Chinese contender Zhilei Zhang (24-1-1, 19 KOs) in London. The 37-year-old Joyce, fresh off his impressive win over Joseph Parker, is set to defend his WBO interim heavyweight title against the 39-year-old Zhang, in what promises to be an exciting clash between two heavy hitters.

Deal Nearly Finalized for Joyce vs. Zhang

BoxingScene was the first to break the news that a deal was being finalized for Joyce to take on Zhang. ESPN followed up with reports suggesting that the fight would be part of the regular BT Sport subscription, meaning fans won’t have to pay extra for a pay-per-view event, a shift from Joyce’s last high-profile fight, which was on PPV.

Frank Warren, Joyce’s promoter, has not officially revealed Zhang as the opponent but did confirm that contracts are being finalized, with an official announcement and press conference expected soon.

Joyce’s Rise and Zhang’s Redemption

Joe Joyce (15-0, 14 KOs) earned his most significant victory to date in September 2022, when he stopped New Zealand’s Joseph Parker in the 11th round of a thrilling contest at the AO Arena in Manchester. The victory bolstered Joyce’s reputation as a legitimate heavyweight contender, as Parker was seen as a formidable opponent.

Zhilei Zhang, meanwhile, is coming off a controversial decision loss to Croatian heavyweight Filip Hrgovic in their August 2022 bout. Despite dropping Hrgovic in the first round, Zhang lost via unanimous decision in a highly disputed contest. Many felt Zhang had done enough to win, and he will now be looking to bounce back in a big way against Joyce.

Undercard Action: Denzel Bentley to Defend British Title

In addition to the heavyweight main event, Denzel Bentley (17-2-1, 14 KOs) is set to defend his British Middleweight championship on the undercard against Scotland’s Kieran Smith (18-1, 7 KOs), according to the BBBofC circular. This matchup adds further intrigue to the card, making it a must-watch for British boxing fans.

The Road Ahead for Joyce

With his fight against Zhang on the horizon, Joe Joyce will be looking to maintain his undefeated record and solidify his position as a top heavyweight contender. Should he emerge victorious, bigger fights could be in his future, potentially against the likes of Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk, who are expected to meet in an undisputed heavyweight title fight later this year.

For Zhang, a win over Joyce would catapult him back into the heavyweight title conversation and prove that he belongs among the top names in the division.

As fans await the official announcement, all eyes are on London, where two of the heavyweight division’s biggest punchers are set to collide in what promises to be an explosive matchup.