Joe Joyce scuppers Tyson Fury’s plans for WBC heavyweight title fight with Zhilei Zhang

Heavyweight contender Joe Joyce has ruined Tyson Fury’s plans to fight Zhilei Zhang by activating his rematch clause to face the Chinese giant for a second time.

Joyce lost his WBO interim heavyweight title to Zhang after an eye injury that eventually led to a sixth-round technical knockout.

The Juggernaut was devastated to lose the interim title and immediately apologized to his fans after the fight at the Copper Box Arena.

Many fans thought that Joyce would take some time to recover from his eye injury and then face a tuned opponent before going back into the ring with Zhang.

Therefore, the Gypsy King reportedly opened talks with Zhang about a WBC heavyweight title fight this summer.

However, Joyce’s manager Shane Watson says the 37-year-old has triggered his immediate rematch clause with Zhang.

“The first fight was what it was. Joe knows how to say it well. We talked about an interim fight but Joe made it clear that he wanted the rematch as soon as possible and this shows how Joe can take on any top heavyweight at any time,” Watson told Talk Sport.

Meanwhile, right after the fight, Joyce said his “journey wasn’t over” and he just “stumbled,” stating that he’d be “back soon.”

Immediately after their fight, Joyce said, “A little more practice [is needed]. Zhang is a co-winner of a silver medal, he is a good fighter and hits hard.

“He’s a clumsy style because he’s a southpaw and a powerful southpaw. I just couldn’t get away, I kept getting hit by his left hand.

‘I’m disappointed. I want to apologize to all my fans and supporters. I will come back. My journey is not over yet. This is just a hurdle I’ve tripped over. I will come back.’

For Zhang, the result was a perfect comeback after losing to Filip Hrgovic last August by unanimous decision.