Zhang stuns Joyce with sixth-round knockout

Joe Joyce to the total shock of everybody was knocked out in the sixth round by China’s Zhilei Zhang for his first professional loss at London’s Copper Box Arena.

Zhilei Zhang has beaten Joe Joyce ✅

Fantastic performance right from the opening bell 🔔#FightNight | #JoyceZhang pic.twitter.com/Mq0Pi2iQmh

— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) April 15, 2023

Joyce suffered a brutal series of hits, which resulted in him dropping to the floor. The ringside doctor came to inspect the Briton’s condition, but the referee concluded the contest before the medical staff even had a chance for a statement.

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“I’m just disappointed with my performance,” Joyce told BT Sport.

“The right hand he kept hitting me with… I couldn’t get out of the way, so respect to Zhang.”

“I expected to win like I normally do. Thanks for all the support and congratulations.”

The loss is a major setback for Joyce’s title ambitions, as he was on terms to challange Oleksandr Usyk for the WBO title. Now he has to wait to regain some of damaged status, but the 37-year old vowed to come back.