Zhilei knocks out Joyce in rematch

Zhang Zhilei (26-1-1, 21 KOs) knocked out Joe Joyce (15-2, 14 KOs) in the third round in the main event of the evening at Wembley Arena in London. Thus, Zhilei defended his “interim” WBO title and retained his mandatory challenger status for unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Already from the second round, the fight began to take place almost the same as their first meeting in April of this year. Joyce, who at the weigh-in showed 10 kg more than five months ago, began to confidently miss Zhilei's power left hands. The meeting ended in the third round, when Joyce’s concrete jaw still couldn’t withstand a right side punch to the jaw, and he ended up with a heavy knockdown. The Brit was able to get up but remained shaken and referee Steve Gray stopped the fight.