4th ranked and undefeated Joe Joyce takes on Olympic silver medalist Zhilie Zhang. Zhang is currently #88 after a loss and draw in his last 4 fights. He's still a big threat with a big punch but Joyce, an Olympic silver medalist himself, has the big advantage in durability and stamina as he lives up to his nickname, The Juggernaut. He's a -1100 favorite, which seems a bit excessive but he should definitely be the favorite. Both fighters are 6 feet, 6 inches tall.
Round-by-round scoring for the 12 round fight:
- Early feeling out for the first minute. Good shots from Zhang, landing some hard punches in the middle of the round which is really his only chance—the longer the fight goes the more Joyce will be favored. Good shot to the body for Zhang. Joyce is unfazed and continues his high output but not connecting much. Joyce hanging back a little bit though. Zhang 10-9
- Joyce respecting Zhang's 80 inch reach which is equal to Joyce's. Good exchange early in the round. Joyce relentless with activity. Great counter 1-2 by Zhang. Huge left from Zhang! Joyce is stunned and stumbles around the ring a bit but stays up. Ref separates and restarts them and Joyce recovers. Joyce back to the activity late in the round, Zhang looks a bit tired. Zhang 10-9; 20-18
- Joyce starting with high workrate to not let Zhang get anyting in, Zhang goes to the body, gets a right in but 90% of activity is Joyce. Zhang fading a bit it seems with a minute left. Zhang gets a few lefts in, and another one late but Joyce is unfazed. Much better round for Joyce 10-9; 29-28 Zhang
- Joyce stepping up pace, mostly jabs hitting Zhang's arms but staying relentless. Zhang's output is very slight midway through, though he gets some lefts in still. 1-2 left right from Zhang scores, Joyce keeps the pressure up. Another few shots from Zhang but activity probably wins a close round for Joyce 10-9; 38-38
- Joyce really speedy as round 5 starts, going to the head and body. Counter left from Zhang is almost his first punch after more than half a minute. Big left from Zhang, multiple punches from Joyce though. Joyce's face looks far worse though as Zhang's punches are connecting unimpeded. Activity probably wins that for Joyce, too, but it's even closer than last round, and he doesn't look great, especially Joyce's right eye. Joyce 10-9; 48-47 Joyce
- The ref checks Joyce's eye, and he passes the test but things get serious as there's no guarantee he's winning the fight. Good short right from Zhang. Joyce continues relentless punching, but Zhang comes alive with 4 or 5 good strikes and the doctor is checking the eye again. Joyce answers correctly 2 finger and 1 finger, but the fight is STOPPED! And Zhang wins the TKO on doctor's decision!
Wow. Joe Joyce's legendary durability cost him, as he remained unfazed by most of Zhang's shots, but you can have a great chin but no one has a "great eye" and the damage was enough for the doctor to stop the fight.
Zhang, only #88 in SportsRatings' top 100, will jump into the top 10 for the first time in his career. Joyce will fall to just outside the top 10.
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