Joe Joyce admits taking on Zhilei Zhang was a ‘risk too far’ as he opens up on ‘heartbreaking’ back-to-back losses to the Chinese star… but insists he has NO plans to retire as he looks to bounce back against Kash Ali

Joe Joyce has opened up about his two ‘heartbreaking’ defeats to Zhilei Zhang, curtailing his hopes of a world title shot. He admitted the challenge was “a risk too far.”

Joyce withdrew from their first fight in April 2023 after suffering damage to his right eye, with a doctor aborting it in round six, but in the rematch later in September the fight was ended even quicker in the third round after a right hooked him had dropped. on the canvas – causing him to lose his WBO interim title.

They were the first two defeats in Joyce’s professional career and now ‘The Juggernaut’ wants to make a comeback against Kash Ali on Saturday evening in Birmingham. He is desperate to return to his winning form after admitting he is still haunted by his painful losses.

“It wasn’t my most memorable time,” he told Mail Sport. “The first fight I thought I could have won if I made a few changes. In the second fight I did everything I could to get the victory, but then I was knocked out even earlier! I did my best and maybe I could have won, but Zhang is very strong and accurate, strong – he can hit hard.

“Styles create fights and Zhang wasn’t the best for me. It was a risk going into battle, it was the biggest one there was. It was too much of a risk for me to take. It’s just something I had to do. It was just a pity that I didn’t get the victory both times. I thought I would ride to a win the first time. I tried, but it wasn’t to be.

Joyce’s first fight with the Chinese star was canceled due to eye damage – before his rival stopped him in the third round of their rematch

Joyce lost his WBO interim title to Zhang, who then lost to old opponent Joseph Parker

‘It was tough and it has been tough. It’s not easy, especially when you get big and then you don’t deliver. It’s heartbreaking.’

Joyce faced a chorus of voices calling for him to retire after losing to Zhang – who has since lost to a man he stopped in 2022: Joseph Parker.

But even as Joyce approaches the tail end of his boxing career at the age of 38, he pushed back on suggestions he could hang up the gloves, insisting there were still plenty of big fights he could be involved in – and he hopes to become world champion. before he puts an end to it.

“There are plenty of other fights that are very exciting that I can participate in,” he added. ‘It’s not time to hang up the gloves yet. It’s not the end for me, there are more fights, more entertaining fights.

Joyce has admitted that it was ‘too big a risk’ to face Zhang and that his style was not good for him

“The heavyweight game is strong, there are a lot of matchups that people want to see. Hopefully after Fury v Usyk the titles will be up for grabs again and I can go on and win a world title before I retire.

“It’s like, would you quit your job? You still have to make money. Boxing is a good job for me and I enjoy what I do. It’s not always easy to train year after year, but it’s exciting how you pick yourself up.

“You get to the top of the peak, take a rest and pick yourself up again. “I’m excited now, I’ve got another big fight against Ali and after that people want to see me against these other fighters.”

Joyce has never fought in Birmingham before and it will be a new chapter and a new beginning for the 2016 Olympic silver medalist. A chance to start clean without the weight off his shoulders. That’s something he enjoys.

The 38-year-old will be desperate to find ways to win when he fights Kash Ali on Saturday

Joyce backtracked on claims he could retire and vowed to end his career with a world title

“I’m having a good time, it’s good to have a target again,” he said. ‘I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring and getting a nice win. I would like to make a statement. I shared a ring with Kash Ali, he’s a good fighter, I don’t underestimate him.’

Joyce said he was tinkering with his style and making constant improvements after his two defeats, and while he said he would like to join the Saudi boxing revolution and be involved on a major card in the Middle East, he declined to mention the names. of Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk as possible opponents.

‘There are always improvements to be made, that’s what I love about boxing. You are always looking to get better. There are so many factors in boxing. It’s not just about being very fast or very strong, it’s a combination of everything plus technique and how the different styles fit together. It’s an exciting time because there are Saudi fights, so many different characters with different styles.

“We’ll have to wait and see (who he will face in the future). I want to fight all the top names, big fights. Get a world title there before I retire. I need to secure myself for my post boxing career. I have to support myself and my family before I hang up the gloves. This is a unique time for me to do that.”