Former world heavyweight champion Tony Bellew claims that the British heavyweight Joe Joyce lost the first fight Zhang Zhilei because he did not prepare for the fight properly.
“Joe Joyce is the most durable heavyweight I have seen since Oliver McCall. I've never seen a heavyweight who took a punch like he did. But in the first fight against Zhang Zhilei, I saw for the first time how Joyce reacted to blows to the head. In the second round, he reacted to a powerful left straight to the head.
I heard rumors that Joyce was not well prepared and thought that he would take out Zhilei in the first fight. I was told that in this camp he sorted it out. I don't make excuses for him because Joe Joyce is not my fighter. I wish him luck. I hope he wins, but if his ability to take a punch is gone then he’s done,” Bellew said on his YouTube channel.
Let us remind you that the rematch between Joyce and Zhilei will take place on September 23 in London.
