Chinese heavyweight boxing champ Zhang Zhilei blasts Joe Joyce as rematch is set – ‘he’s speaking to media, I’m training like hell’
- Zhang unable to go to London press conference but says ‘hard work is my statement’ after watching Joyce speak at event
- Interim WBO heavyweight champion insists ‘I don’t mind creating history again’ with bout set for Wembley’s OVO Arena in September
Interim WBO heavyweight champion Zhang Zhilei has taken a swipe at Joe Joyce after it was announced their rematch will take place at Wembley’s OVO Arena in September.
The Chinese boxer, 40, stunned his British opponent in their first encounter in April, which was stopped in the sixth round after Joyce’s swollen eye was twice inspected by the ringside doctor.
Zhang, who has won 25 fights, with one loss and one draw since turning professional in 2014, said after creating history last time he believed “the best way to inherit history is to create new ones”.
“I created history last time. I don’t mind doing it again,” Zhang said in a post on his Instagram account.
“I look at the rematch as is if it is a new fight. I look at Joe Joyce as if I never fought him before.
“A lot of people think there is no chance for a Chinese boxer to become heavyweight champion. I always disagree.
“Being confident and hardworking, Chinese [people] will be able to position ourselves in the centre of the boxing world.”
Zhang was unable to go to Friday’s press conference in London, but insisted that “hard work is my statement” after watching 37-year-old Joyce speak at the event.
“He’s making remarks in front of the media. I’m driving to the gym,” Zhang said in a video on his social media. “He’s living his moment. I’m on my way to train like hell.”
Joyce, who lost his unbeaten record to the Chinese southpaw, has plenty riding on the rematch, not least a potential shot at a world title.
He also lost his WBO interim title in the defeat at the Copper Box Arena in London, and promoter Frank Warren acknowledged that Joyce had “a lot to work on to put it right”.
“He [Joyce] knows what he has got to do, and his immediate future depends on him regaining his position as WBO interim world champion,” Warren said.
The rematch clause in the pair’s contract was activated by Joyce in May, and he said he was “coming back to take back what’s mine”.
“No compromises. No underestimating my opponent,” Joyce said. “Nothing, but a win.
“Last time out I lost my undefeated professional record. It was hard to take. But after the dust settled, all that will do is make me better. I’ve learned lessons. I’m ready. And I am coming for everything.”
A win is likely to earn Joyce or Zhang the No 1 challenger status for world champion Oleksandr Usyk’s belt.
