Summary

  • Joe Joyce suffers another defeat Zhilei Zhang in their heavyweight rematch

  • China's Zhang stops Joyce in round three after dominating

  • Zhang retains WBO interim title and mandatory challenger status to Oleksandr Usyk

  • Joyce falls to second defeat in a row and just the second in his pro career

  • Fellow Briton Anthony Yarde stops Jorge Silva in two rounds on undercard

  • Yarde wants to fight winner of Joshua Buatsi v Dan Azeez next

  • Get involved #bbcboxing

  1. 'I want to step up'published at 22:10 British Summer Time 23 September 2023

    Moses Itauma speaking to TNT Sports after his first round victory over Amine Boucetta: “I'm sweating from the warm-up, not the fight.

    “I’ve been banging onto Francis [Warren, my manager], asking for a step up. Maybe this will push [that request] forward.

    “If there’s no injuries I want to have a hundred fights in a year. I just want to step up.

    “If I want to achieve what I want to achieve, these [Joyce or Zhang] could be my opponents.”

  2. Fastest heavyweight on the planet?published at 22:08 British Summer Time 23 September 2023

    Carl Frampton
    Former world champion on TNT Sports

    “He’s an excellent fighter. That left uppercut is a beautiful shot. After the knockdown when he put the pressure on, I don’t think there’s another heavyweight on the planet as fast as hands as Moses Itauma.”

  3. Postpublished at 22:06 British Summer Time 23 September 2023

    On the undercard, we've just seen Moses Itauma absolutely obliterate Amine Boucetta with a first round knockout.

    That was a calling card performance from the young heavyweight.

    Moses ItaumaImage source, Getty Images
  4. Hungry tigers to intense face-offpublished at 22:03 British Summer Time 23 September 2023

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at OVO Arena, Wembley

    Just like the first fight, the build-up has been bizarre, awkward and at times pretty funny.

    Thursday’s news conference was light-hearted. Zhilei Zhang waved his finger as Joe Joyce tried to grab the WBO ‘interim’ belt and the two later shared some metaphors about hungry tigers.

    There was a more serious vibe to Friday’s weigh-in. At the face-to-face, both boxers exchanged a long stare-down. There was no handshake. No niceties. All business.

  5. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 21:58 British Summer Time 23 September 2023

    #bbcboxing, text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or WhatsApp 03301231826

    Let us know your thoughts on and predictions for tonight's fight - can Joyce get revenge or is he heading for another damaging defeat?

    Get in touch using the details above.

  6. 'Joyce has work cut out for himself to get revenge'published at 21:51 British Summer Time 23 September 2023

    British light-heavyweight and co-main tonight Anthony Yarde has given his view on how Joyce can gain revenge on Zhang in a column for BBC Sport.

    Joyce is such a likeable guy. We are both signed to Frank Warren and I always want him to win.

    But I was surprised he took the first fight with Zhang. He was mandatory for champion Oleksandr Usyk and there was talk of a fight with Anthony Joshua.

    So why fight someone as dangerous as Zhang? A lump of 19 stone. And he's not fat or out of shape. He is a unit.

    Joyce should have fought somebody else or just waited for Joshua or Usyk.

    I really want Joyce to get revenge and be back in the mix for a world title, but he has his work cut out.

    Make Zhang tired. Take it to him early, rough him up early and then get him to the sixth round. Zhang has a history of tiring.

    Move your head a little bit more and don't get hit with the back hand and then he will have a great chance of winning.

    Either way, it will be a fantastic fight.

    Anthony YardeImage source, Getty Images
  7. Watch: 12 rounds with Anthony Yardepublished at 21:46 British Summer Time 23 September 2023

    Media caption,

    Artur Beterbiev v Anthony Yarde: Arsenal to win the league & dreaming of fast food

  8. 'I thought I was going to retire'published at 21:41 British Summer Time 23 September 2023

    Former British super-middleweight title holder Zach Parker, speaking to TNT Sports after beating Khalid Graidia earlier tonight: “After my last fight, I went to a bit of a dark place just injured sitting on my ****. I thought I was going to retire.

    "Soon as I got back in the gym, I got the fire in my belly again. And you have seen in here, no one can keep up with me when I’m injury free.”

    “You only get one career. Before when I was inactive I wasn’t enjoying it. Once I’m active, there’s no stopping me.”

    On his possible next opponent: “There’s someone on this card I wouldn’t mind, Anthony Yarde. I don’t see why not. I’m too quick for him and hit too hard.”

    Zach ParkerImage source, Getty Images
  9. Postpublished at 21:37 British Summer Time 23 September 2023

    Leading the undercard this evening, we have Anthony Yarde taking on Jorge Silva.

    More on him now...

  10. We wait for Louis...published at 21:32 British Summer Time 23 September 2023

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at OVO Arena, Wembley

    The interest in this fight has not been great. There was a poor showing at Friday's weigh-in, with just a handful of fans who weren't fighters, their friends and families.

    The arena is still far from full. I expect it to pick up as we get closer to the main event.

    But the most exciting update to give you is that the seat behind me has a sticker with the name 'Louis Theroux' printed on it.

  11. How Joyce reacted to his defeat in Aprilpublished at 21:26 British Summer Time 23 September 2023

    Media caption,

    Joe Joyce says his 'journey will continue' after Zhilei Zhang loss

  12. Is it a must-win?published at 21:20 British Summer Time 23 September 2023

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at OVO Arena, Wembley

    The term ‘must-win’ is overused, but you really do feel time is running out for both fighters.

    So much was being made of 40-year-old Zhilei Zhang’s age last time. But Joe Joyce, at 38, is no spring chicken either.

    Joyce turned pro late after winning Olympic silver in 2016.and has been fast-tracked in the paid-ranks. Was that a mistake? Should he have been given more time to learn the ropes of pro boxing? Or maybe he just isn’t as elite as everyone thought?

    Tonight will go a long way to answering those questions.

  13. Can Joyce overcome 'a blip'?published at 21:12 British Summer Time 23 September 2023

    Just one bad performance - in Joe Joyce's case a horrendous six rounds - can transport you from a nailed-on future world champion to a fighter out of his depth at the top level.

    "People are quick to shoot you down when things don't go your way. I have been a victim of that," the 38-year-old British heavyweight told BBC Sport.

    On Saturday at Wembley's OVO Arena, 'Juggernaut' Joyce plans to "correct his mistakes" in a rematch with 40-year-old Zhang.

    "I'm going to win this fight and it will just be a little blip in the long scheme of things and the trajectory of my career," Joyce says.

    "Then it won't be a big thing. People will be like 'he made the adjustments and was successful in the rematch' - people won't remember.

    "Things happen and can change quite quickly."

    You can read more of what Joyce had to say to BBC Sport in our preview here.

    Joe JoyceImage source, Getty Images
  14. Postpublished at 21:07 British Summer Time 23 September 2023

    To mark your cards, we are expecting the main event to get underway at around 23.00 BST.

    We'll bring you updates on the undercard fights - including Anthony Yarde in action - before going round-by-round for Zhang v Joyce, of course.

  15. Repeat or revenge?published at 21:02 British Summer Time 23 September 2023

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport at OVO Arena, Wembley

    Good evening from Wembley.

    In most cases, a sequel is never as good as the original. But I have a strong feeling we’re in for another cracking night of heavyweight boxing.

    Zhilei Zhang v Joe Joyce has so much riding on it. The winner will most likely get a world-title shot at whoever is the WBO champion next year. The loser? Well, who knows? It will be a tough road back.

    Such was the dominant nature of Zhang’s victory five months ago, most boxers and pundits I’ve spoken to feel like it will be the same outcome.

  16. Hello!published at 20:59 British Summer Time 23 September 2023

    When Joe Joyce met Zhilei Zhang at the Copper Box in April, it was billed as the latest step on his path to being world champion...

    Zhilei Zhang punches Joe JoyceImage source, Getty Images

    ...but the man from China had other ideas...

    Zhilei Zhang celebrates beating Joe JoyceImage source, Getty Images

    ...so now, where does this leave Joyce?

    Tonight is the rematch - and a bout the British boxer surely has to win to remain among the elite tier of fighters.

    Will Joyce get back on track, or can Zhang stop him in his tracks once again? We shall soon find out.

    Joe JoyceImage source, Getty Images