Zhang eyes heavyweight title fight after shock win over Joyce

Victory by China’s ‘Big Bang’ Zhang makes him the WBO’s mandatory challenger against Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk.

China’s Zhilei “Big Bang” Zhang has set his sights on Ukraine’s world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk after inflicting his first professional defeat on Britain’s Joe Joyce.

Referee Howard Foster stopped the fight in the sixth of 12 scheduled rounds at London’s Copper Box Arena on Saturday night after the ringside doctor twice inspected Joyce’s inflated right eye, which was nearly closed.

“Today is mine,” Zhang said through a translator after punching the air and yelling “Chinese power.” “… I am 39 years old, but I am disciplined. I train hard. Next step, I’m going for the title.”

Two of the three judges favored Zhang at that time. The victory for Zhang marked a comeback after his first career defeat to Croatian Filip Hrgovic in August.

Joyce, 37, was the WBO interim champion in the division, a title that effectively made him the WBO mandatory challenger to WBO, IBO, IBF and WBA champion Usyk. Britain’s Tyson Fury holds the WBC title.

Joyce had been keeping an eye out for possible fights with Usyk, Fury or Anthony Joshua leading up to his fight with Zhang.

But the Chinese fighter had his smaller and lighter opponent in trouble from the start as Joyce provided a static target for Zhang’s thumping left and plenty of work for his corner as the cuts opened.

“I’m just disappointed with my performance,” Joyce told BT Sport after what was his 16th professional fight. “The right hand with which he kept hitting me. I couldn’t get out of the way, so respect to Zhilei Zhang, “Big Bang.” I haven’t fought a southpaw in so long. … I expected to win like I normally do.

“I’ll be back. My journey isn’t over yet. This is just a hurdle I may have tripped over, so I’ll be back.”

Promoter George Warren said Joyce may be seeking a rematch with Zhang.