Joe Joyce rules out retirement as he remains determined to challenge at ‘top level’ after rematch loss to Zhilei Zhang

Joe Joyce has dismissed any talk of retirement as he remains determined to “challenge at the highest level” following his rematch loss to Zhilei Zhang.

The British contender was unable to regain the WBO interim heavyweight title as he suffered a third-round knockout loss to Zhang at the AO Arena in Wembley on Saturday evening.

The defeat also meant Joyce could not reclaim a WBO mandatory title shot from unified champion Oleksandr Usyk, which he had earned before his first injury loss to Zhang in April.

But SJAM Management will discuss the 38-year-old’s comeback in the coming days and are confident Joyce will once again prove himself as one of the world’s best after wins over Joseph Parker, Daniel Dubois and Carlos Takam.

“Joe is an elite warrior who continually challenges himself against those at the highest levels of heavyweight boxing – he has one of the best resumes of any active heavyweight,” said SJAM Management.

“He lost to an elite, world-class fighter in Zhilei Zhang, but will continue to challenge at the highest level.

“We will meet as a team this week with (promoters) Frank and George Warren and plan the way forward.”

Zhang has called for a fight against Tyson Fury following his rematch victory, while his co-manager Terry Lane has revealed that American Deontay Wilder could be another potential opponent.

But Saudi Arabia, Britain and America are more likely venues for Zhang’s next fight, despite his rapidly growing popularity in China.

Homecoming fight in Zhang’s plans?

Lane said Air sports: “There are so many political and economic problems and obstacles that we have to overcome to achieve that (organizing a Zhang fight in China).

“We want to do it, we are still investigating it. Actually, the Warrens and (promotional team) Top Rank are helping us too.

‘But we’re going to make it happen, I just don’t know when.

“At some point we will cross the finish line.”