QUEENSBERRY PROMOTIONS says that Zhilei Zhang-Joe Joyce rematch will take place in September.
However, Terry Lane, China’s heavyweight coach did not commit as much when boxing news came to both sides.
Back in April, Zhang established himself as a real contender when stopping the seemingly unstoppable ‘Juggernaut’ for seven rounds.
The upset win put Zhang in a melee with Tyson Fury, but Joyce chose to activate the rematch clause that would allow him another chance to defeat ‘Big Bang’.
Recent reports and speculation have revealed that the second leg is set for September 2 in London.
BN Contacted Lane for comment.
“There are a lot of details to work out, but moving in that direction,” he said.
Zhang’s win tied him to a multi-fight deal with Queensberry, who also represented Joyce, Fury as well as Daniel Dubois in the top 15 heavyweights. Joyce won against Dubois, but it was the young powerhouse who took the first win at a match. belt when he faces Oleksandr Usyk on August 26 in Poland.
Queensberry CEO George Warren was more concluding in his reply BN about the Zhang-Joyce rematch.
“There are no details to work on. Joyce has activated the rematch and it will take place on a TBC day in September in the UK.”
In a recent interview on BT Sport Boxing’s Chatterbox program Joyce admitted to being surprised by how good Zhang really is.
“He is very fast and precise with his punches and he is not stubborn. He is a very good fighter, he is very fast. He’s a very good male forehand and he really just takes shots at will. Maybe I wasn’t prepared enough for him.
“I thought I could beat him but that performance I didn’t really do that night. I’m sure I can beat him.”
However, Zhang believes that Joyce lacks confidence and that the New Jersey residents are looking for a more spectacular ending if they meet again.
“Boxing is such a science. How much can a warrior change in such a short amount of time? I do not know. Maybe he made small adjustments, but I don’t think about it,” he said boxing news few days ago.
“Honestly, I don’t think Joe has that much confidence. If I beat him in the second match, I believe the boxing world would see me completely differently.”
If Joyce even scores in September, that will be the month the Londoners celebrate his 38th anniversarylame pants birthday. Zhang turned 40 years old last month.
