Joyce vs Zhang result LIVE! Boxing fight stream, latest updates and reaction

Joyce vs Zhang LIVE!

Joe Joyce saw his heavyweight ambitions suffer a colossal blow with a surprise defeat by Zhilei Zhang in London. ‘The Juggernaut’ lost his undefeated record as a professional and the WBO interim title after a stunning upset at the Copper Box Arena, dealing an enormous setback to hopes of securing a huge showdown with the likes of Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk or Anthony Joshua.

Joyce looked out of sorts from the off against his fellow Olympic silver medalist, the towering Chinese southpaw weighing almost 20 stone, and received plenty of early damage before being badly wobbled in the second round. Though he survived that onslaught and tried to up the tempo, his badly damaged right eye was swollen shut and he could not avoid Zhang’s huge punches before the fight was stopped by referee Howard Foster in the sixth following two assessments by the ringside doctor.

Mikaela Mayer set up a potential clash with Katie Taylor after dominating spirited late replacement opponent Lucy Wildheart in the co-main event on Saturday night. Exciting heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma was taken the distance by Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko, while Sam Noakes stopped Karthik Sathish Kumar early and Denzel Bentley retained his British middleweight title with a ruthless 45-second stoppage of Kieran Smith. Follow Joyce vs Zhang reaction live below!

Joyce vs Zhang latest news

• Joyce stunned by Zhang in huge upset

• Mayer sets up potential Taylor fight

• Itauma goes distance with Dovbyshchenko

• Noakes keeps knockout streak alive against Kumar

• Bentley blasts Smith in 45-second demolition

Saturday 15 April 2023 23:52 , George Flood

By the way, the scorecards at the time of the stoppage were ridiculous.

Two judges had Zhang up by only one round and the other had Joyce WINNING by one round.

Just daft and totally disrespectful to Zhang.

Saturday 15 April 2023 23:45 , George Flood

Frank Warren’s verdict on such a major setback for Joyce and his hopes of heavyweight stardom:

Saturday 15 April 2023 23:42 , George Flood

Queensbury CEO George Warren talks up a potential rematch with Zhang, even suggesting that Joyce could go to China.

But that horribly damaged eye is surely going to keep him out of action for a long time yet.

Saturday 15 April 2023 23:30 , George Flood

Here is the full ringside interview from BT Sport with a deflated Joe Joyce...

Saturday 15 April 2023 23:28 , George Flood

The affable Joyce takes it on the chin, but he can’t hide his understandable disappointment.

He says he hadn’t fought a southpaw for so long and couldn’t see that left hand coming, apologising to fans and claiming he needed more practice.

He even jokes that his busted eye could be payback for the similiar damage that he inflicted on Daniel Dubois back in 2020.

Joyce says his story is not over and that he will be back.

Saturday 15 April 2023 23:19 , George Flood

A brilliant interview with Zhang, who is such a character and I think was massively overlooked by most of the British boxing public and maybe even Joyce himself.

Not bad from a man who turns 40 in 17 days’ time!

He confirms he now wants a full title shot, though is behind both Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic - whom he was desperately unlucky to lose to last time out - in the long list of mandatories for unified champion Usyk.

Would Tyson Fury fancy his chances against ‘Big Bang’?

Saturday 15 April 2023 23:12 , George Flood

The first defeat of Joe Joyce’s professional career. What a devastating blow to his ambitions.

That eye looks so, so painful. He won’t be back in the ring for some time.

Saturday 15 April 2023 23:05 , George Flood

What a result and what a performance from Zhilei Zhang.

A monumental setback for Joyce and his hopes of some huge fights in this division.

Zhang takes the WBO interim belt and will have eyes on title shots of his own now.

Stunning.

Joyce vs Zhang

Saturday 15 April 2023 23:03 , George Flood

Round 6

Joyce just can’t see that massive left from Zhang coming - I don’t think he can see anything at all out of the right eye.

The ringside doctor is called to have a look again.... HOWARD FOSTER WAVES IT OFF IN THE SIXTH!

ZHILEI ZHANG HAS BEATEN JOE JOYCE! WOW!

Joyce vs Zhang

Saturday 15 April 2023 23:02 , George Flood

Round 6

The corner are working desperately on the badly damaged right eye of Joyce before the start of round six.

The doctor is also called up to have a look - this won’t go on much longer.

This is all or nothing for Joyce now, he has to go for this before it’s stopped.

The eye has got much worse already in this round.

Joyce vs Zhang

Saturday 15 April 2023 23:00 , George Flood

Round 5

Better work at the start of the fifth from Joyce, but that right eye is almost swollen shut now.

There’s also a lot of blood from the busted nose, which may well be broken.

That eye may well become a serious question sooner rather than later. How can he see these shots coming?

Joyce has upped the work rate and become much busier, but the better punches are still coming from Zhang - including that vicious left.

Maybe becoming so much busier gives that round to Joyce? I think it would be his first if so.

Joyce vs Zhang

Saturday 15 April 2023 22:56 , George Flood

Round 4

No shortage of effort and determination from Joyce, who is showing his durability here and ability to withstand big shots if nothing else.

He continues to walk onto that spiteful straight left.

Zhang looks supremely confident, walking him down and finding the mark again.

But there’s a long right from Joyce to make him think! Shot of the fight so far from Joyce.

Some more furious exchanges before the bell, but that’s another Zhang round.

4-0 Zhang?

Joyce vs Zhang

Saturday 15 April 2023 22:54 , George Flood

Round 3

A shaken Joyce tries to mount a comeback in the third, stepping on the gas and trying to put Zhang under pressure.

But he’s getting hit way, way too often - which he often does with that granite chin, but you can’t get away with it against a puncher as big as Zhang.

Joyce’s right eye and nose are busted, with Zhang thundering in plenty more eye-catching punches in the round. His left hand is doing so much damage.

This is 3-0 to Zhang, isn’t it? Joyce in a real hole early on. How can he respond?

Joyce vs Zhang

Saturday 15 April 2023 22:48 , George Flood

Round 2

Joyce is bang in trouble in the second round!

Zhang crashes in two big left hands and a huge right hook that send Joyce back - his legs are wobbling.

Still more than a minute left until the bell.

Joyce is clearly hurt but tries to fight fire with fire, upping his work rate and trying to punish the body.

But he cannot avoid that straight left of Zhang. Blood trickling from the nose of Joyce, who is firmly second best here.

Joyce vs Zhang

Saturday 15 April 2023 22:45 , George Flood

Per the BT broadcast, Joyce’s trainer Ismael Salas read his charge the riot act after that extremely sluggish first round.

Told him he was asleep and it’s tough to argue.

Joyce needs to up the pace significantly.

Joyce vs Zhang

Saturday 15 April 2023 22:44 , George Flood

Round 1

A confident start from Zhang, as he’s prone to do, as he lands the first big shots of the night that crash off the head of Joyce.

The Juggernaut shrugs them off, but it’s a danger to take those sort of blows from a big puncher like Zhang.

Some reddening around the eye of Joyce already and his feet are much too slow as he gets caught with another straight left.

First round to Zhang, most definitely. A slow start from Joyce.

Joyce vs Zhang

Saturday 15 April 2023 22:41 , George Flood

Here we go!

Joyce vs Zhang

Saturday 15 April 2023 22:40 , George Flood

A very lively robe sported by towering southpaw Zhang, who is from China but now fights out of New Jersey.

Joyce looks as calm and locked in as ever during the introductions, receving plenty of adulation from this Copper Box crowd.

He removes his black robe and we are ready to go after the usual formalities from referee Howard Foster and the two heavyweights touch gloves.

Great atmosphere.

Saturday 15 April 2023 22:38 , George Flood

A custom-made song for the affable Joyce.

“You don’t want a war with The Juggernaut”.

Got that right!

Saturday 15 April 2023 22:34 , George Flood

Queen classic ‘We Will Rock You’ is the ring music of choice for ‘Big Bang’ Zhang, who gets a smattering of boos from this partisan home crowd.

Now for London’s own Juggernaut!

Saturday 15 April 2023 22:32 , George Flood

Zhang patiently waits over on the ramp while the crowd belt out Sweet Caroline.

Time for the ring walks!

Saturday 15 April 2023 22:29 , George Flood

Dillian Whyte has joined the BT crew at ringside and reveals his ambition to secure a fight with Joe Joyce, provided he is victorious tonight.

The Bodysnatcher says he is looking to get out again in June or July after labouring to that points win over Jermaine Franklin in November, before potentially facing Joyce at the end of the year.

I’d like to see it, but it’s not quite the big showdown that Joyce is looking for.

Joyce vs Zhang next

Saturday 15 April 2023 22:22 , George Flood

Don’t go anywhere - the main event of the night is next at London’s Copper Box Arena!

Joe Joyce defends his WBO interim heavyweight title against fellow towering big hitter Zhilei Zhang, looking to set up a huge fight later this year.

This should be explosive. You won’t want to miss it!

Saturday 15 April 2023 22:21 , George Flood

Mayer is inevitably asked about Katie Taylor in her post-fight interview.

She says she thinks the Serrano rematch will happen later this year and that she’s happy to face the winner of that.

Mayer gets wide points win over spirited Wildheart

Saturday 15 April 2023 22:17 , George Flood

A bit of a delay with the scorecards, but they do eventually come in.

98-92, 100-90, 98-91 - all in favour of Mayer, who claims the WBC interim women’s lightweight title and bounces back from that gutting loss to Alycia Baumgardner with her 18th professional win.

Wildheart goes to 10-2, but will have earned herself a lot of fans tonight. Hopefully she gets another big opportunity off the back of that.

Mayer vs Wildheart

Saturday 15 April 2023 22:13 , George Flood

Wildheart sustains some bad damage to her nose in the final round, quite a lot of blood smeared around her face.

The final bell sounds after another solid Mayer effort - she’ll take this very comfortably on the cards, despite a sterling effort from Wildheart at such short notice.

The WBC interim lightweight title will be going back to Colorado. Does a shot at Katie Taylor in another super-fight now beckon?

Taylor has Chantelle Cameron to contend with back in Dublin next month and will surely have that Amanda Serrano rematch sooner rather than later too.

Mayer vs Wildheart

Saturday 15 April 2023 22:09 , George Flood

More of the same in the penultimate round, Mayer’s speed and precision with her accurate and powerful flurries at close range so impressive.

I don’t think you could give Wildheart more than one round (I have it as a shutout so far), but at 24 hours’ notice a competitive display against a former unified world champion is some feat.

Into the 10th we go. Any danger of a late stoppage from Mayer?

Mayer vs Wildheart

Saturday 15 April 2023 22:06 , George Flood

Another clear Mayer round in the eighth.

Her quality is really shining through - such accurate work and far more snap and power behind those punches.

She’s jabbing well off the left and trying to create the sort of distance that has been in extremely short supply in this fight so far.

Indeed, her corner tell her after the round that she could have more success by creating that distance.

Mayer vs Wildheart

Saturday 15 April 2023 22:04 , George Flood

The much busier Mayer is really dominating now, letting her hands go in frequent intervals and punching accurately to both body and head.

Some real venom on these solid shots.

Wildheart is being constantly hunted down and so much of the action is still coming at close range, which is making for a terrific spectacle.

Superb spirit from the Swede, but she’s well behind on the cards. Still an incredible effort though all things considered.

Mayer vs Wildheart

Saturday 15 April 2023 22:00 , George Flood

A strong sixth round from Mayer, who is upping the tempo and really turning the screw now.

She was largely content to fight nicely off the back foot in the early exchanges, but now she’s walking down a tiring Wildheart and crunching in some thudding blows - rights to the head and energy-sapping body shots.

Some pace to this fight!

Mayer vs Wildheart

Saturday 15 April 2023 21:57 , George Flood

Some brilliant action in this absorbing fight - both women are content to stand in the middle of the ring and trade some fast and furious punches.

But Mayer is having the better of all these exchanges unquestionably, showing her fast hands and variety.

But you cannot question Wildheart’s gumption - this is some effort from a fighter who took the challenge at 4pm yesterday.

I have Mayer winning every round, but she’s being made to work hard for it. It’s competitive.

Saturday 15 April 2023 21:55 , George Flood

Mayer vs Wildheart

Saturday 15 April 2023 21:54 , George Flood

Mayer is clearly firmly on top here, her punches are far cleaner and more hurtful.

But Wildheart is very game indeed, trying to land a left hook or overhand right.

She is trying to force the pace and get on the front foot whenever possible still, but she is getting repeatedly tagged when coming forward.

Some blood coming from a cut on Mayer’s nose.

Mayer vs Wildheart

Saturday 15 April 2023 21:51 , George Flood

This is a decent scrap through three - I have Mayer up 3-0 but wouldn’t begrudge anyone who has it 2-1.

Mayer is doing much the better work and landing the more eye-catching shots, but the energetic Wildheart is undeterred and has a few dangerous weapons - including a decent hook to the body.

Mayer knows she’s in a fight here and there looks to be a bit of damage around her eye.

Mayer vs Wildheart

Saturday 15 April 2023 21:47 , George Flood

A close opener shaded by Mayer, who will be pleased with her solid start.

Wildheart has nothing to lose and has plenty of pluck and energy, trying to apply the pressure on the front foot and let her hands go.

But Mayer develops into a rhythm in the second, fighting well at range and landing the better shots.

Mayer vs Wildheart

Saturday 15 April 2023 21:42 , George Flood

That split decision loss against Baumgardner was the first of Mayer’s career - she is currently 17-1 with five knockouts.

Wildheart is a familiar face at lightweight and comes in with a pro record of 10-1, having reeled off five successive wins since her lone defeat by Estelle Yoka-Mossely in the summer of 2019.

She outpointed Claudia Ferenczi on her last outing in Rotherham last year.

The Swede was in shape to take this fight as she was due to be in the ring in a few weeks’ time anyway.

Can she spring a huge shock tonight on such short notice? Stranger things have happened, but it’s a very tall order indeed.

Mayer vs Wildheart

Saturday 15 April 2023 21:37 , George Flood

Former unified super-featherweight world champion Mayer is on the comeback trail, having been edged by great rival Alycia Baumgardner on her last trip to London in October.

Now the American is at lightweight and hoping to become the top challenger for undisputed queen Katie Taylor, who takes on Chantelle Cameron in her homecoming fight in Dublin next month.

This fight is for the WBC interim lightweight title.

Mayer vs Wildheart next

Saturday 15 April 2023 21:34 , George Flood

Almost time for the co-main event of the night at London’s Copper Box Arena, which has filled up nicely.

Mikaela Mayer is in the ring shortly as she battles late replacement opponent Lucy Wildheart, the Swede who is based in Essex.

Wildheart took this challenge on just 24 hours’ notice after Christina Linardatou surprisingly failed a pre-fight medical yesterday.

Reports suggest that Greece’s two-time world champion Linardatou was pulled from the bout due to a permanent lens in her eye that she has fought with for her entire career.

A puzzling decision given that Linardatou has been cleared to fight in the UK twice before - against Katie Taylor in 2019 and Sam Smith in 2015.

Saturday 15 April 2023 21:20 , George Flood

Itauma confirms he did injure his lead hand during the fight, but he’s still visibly disappointed not to have got the stoppage.

He wants a step up in quality next.

Itauma taken distance by Dovbyshchenko

Saturday 15 April 2023 21:17 , George Flood

Not sure what the issue was for Itauma there - it may well have been his left hand.

It prevents him from really driving for the stoppage in the final round and his pro knockout streak is ended in his third outing.

But nevertheless an absolutely dominant display in which he delivered so much heavy punishment and showed so much of his enormous quality and potential.

His body work is fantastic in particular.

He’ll be disappointed not to get the knockout, but six rounds and 18 minutes under the belt at this stage of his development is hugely valuable.

A lot of credit goes to Dovbyshchenko too. Supremely durable and he’s still never been stopped.

Itauma vs Dovbyshchenko

Saturday 15 April 2023 21:09 , George Flood

Itauma is seriously, seriously impressive for his age.

The variety, anticipation, movement and power makes for a phenomenal package at just 18.

The heavy shots continue to thud into Dovbyshchenko, who deserves an award for his ability to withstand so many wincing blows.

Itauma unleashed a gorgeous right hook to the body, right uppercut, left hand combo a little while ago that would have floored most heavyweights.

But still Dovbyshchenko cannot be stopped, despite having his energy completely drained by those sapping body shots.

We will head into the sixth and final round. Can Itauma get him out of there? Sounded like he might have had an injury issue after a chat with the corner.

Itauma vs Dovbyshchenko

Saturday 15 April 2023 21:02 , George Flood

Dillian Whyte is watching Itauma at ringside, along with Moses’ older brother Karol.

Dovbyshchenko further demonstrates his durability in the third, even unwisely smiling and goading Itauma after absorbing a succession of further heavy punches and being wobbled.

Itauma rattles in another ferocious right hook behind the elbow, following it up with a couple of fast shots upstairs.

The serious punishment continues, but the hard-as-nails Dovbyshchenko is unfazed and continues to shrug it off.

Another round under the belt for Itauma.

Itauma vs Dovbyshchenko

Saturday 15 April 2023 20:57 , George Flood

Big credit to Dovbyshchenko, who takes a savage hook behind the elbow early in the second but somehow shrugs it off. He’s a tough man.

Completely one-way traffic of course, with Itauma constantly on the front foot and picking a nice variety of heavy punches.

Dovbyshchenko’s durability means Itauma is having to work much more for this, which can only be a positive for his development.

The Ukrainian makes it to the end of the second.

Itauma vs Dovbyshchenko

Saturday 15 April 2023 20:52 , George Flood

Dovbyshchenko passes the 35-second mark and hears the bell at the end of the first!

He keeps a high guard throughout the round, rightfully ultra-wary of the supreme power his opponent possesses.

Itauma clubs away with those heavy fists, forcing the pace on the front foot and thundering in some stinging blows.

Some brutal stuff to the body.

Itauma into the second round for the first time as a professional. This is scheduled for six, but surely won’t go the distance.

Itauma vs Dovbyshchenko

Saturday 15 April 2023 20:47 , George Flood

On paper, this is a tougher test for Itauma.

Kharkiv’s ‘Dangerous’ Dovbyshchenko is 9-12-1 with six knockouts, but has never been stopped.

If he lasts more than 35 seconds than he will have fared better against Itauma than anyone else so far!

Here we go...

Itauma vs Dovbyshchenko

Saturday 15 April 2023 20:45 , George Flood

The Chatham-based Itauma needed just 23 seconds to stop Marcel Bode on his professional debut on the Artur Beterbiev-Anthony Yarde undercard in January, where his brother Karol suffered a shock loss, following that up with a 35-second demolition of Ramon Ibarra in Telford last month.

Frank Warren wants him to fight eight times this year as he looks to break heavyweight records.

The two-time National champion wants to beat Mike Tyson’s mark as the youngest-ever world heavyweight champion.

Itauma vs Dovbyshchenko next

Saturday 15 April 2023 20:41 , George Flood

You won’t want to miss what’s coming next!

It’s the latest professional outing of arguably the world’s most exciting heavyweight prospect - and one of boxing’s top prospects in general - in the formidable Moses Itauma.

The 18-year-old takes on Ukraine’s Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko shortly.

Noakes stops Kumar in second round

Saturday 15 April 2023 20:26 , George Flood

As easy as you like from Noakes.

He cannot miss again in the second round and continues to dole out more heavy punishment.

There is nothing coming back from the hopelessly overmatched challenger, who can’t live with his sheer power and relentless aggression.

Kumar is down again after another spiteful short shot and the referee wisely steps in to wave off the bout.

Noakes retains the Commonwealth and WBC International silver lightweight titles, moving to 11-0 with his 11th stoppage.

What a streak for a lightweight. He’s a serious puncher with no shortage of boxing IQ and skills to match.

Noakes vs Kumar

Saturday 15 April 2023 20:24 , George Flood

Destructive from the heavy-handed Noakes, who uses his concussive power to great effect in round one.

He’s landing some big shots at will, with Kumar’s performance full of errors on what is a huge step up for him tonight despite that unbeaten record.

He’s taking a lot of punishment already and it’s completely one-way traffic so far.

Kumar goes down on the bell, sinking to his knees on the ropes after a couple of short shots from Noakes are followed up by a shuddering right hand that flies straight down the middle and lands flush.

Noakes vs Kumar

Saturday 15 April 2023 20:22 , George Flood

Both of these fighters are 10-0, so someone’s undefeated record is going tonight.

The big-hitting Noakes floored Calvin McCord four times en route to another dominant win in November that kept his perfect stoppage streak alive.

Kumar certainly has his work cut out tonight, and was most recently in action against Meechaiya Kaiwiset in March.

Noakes vs Kumar next

Saturday 15 April 2023 20:18 , George Flood

Sam Noakes is in the ring now to defend his Commonwealth and WBC International silver lightweight titles against Karthik Sathish Kumar from India.

Watch: Bentley destroys Smith in 45-second knockout

Saturday 15 April 2023 20:16 , George Flood

Here is that devastating early knockout from Denzel Bentley...

Saturday 15 April 2023 20:15 , George Flood

The Juggernaut is in the house!

Saturday 15 April 2023 20:09 , George Flood

Bentley says he learned so much from his defeat by the formidable Alimkhanuly and wants to become a world champion more than ever.

He is more than up for the Hamzah Sheeraz fight - feelings that are echoed by the Commonwealth middleweight champion on BT Sport.

What a contest that would be.

Saturday 15 April 2023 19:56 , George Flood

That was just extraordinary from Bentley, who went for Smith from the off and landed an absolute monster of a left hook.

Smith simply never recovered from that, being dazed and battered and backed up against the ropes.

It looked like another vicious right hook from short range that sent the Scot down and led to referee Mark Lyson waving it off straightaway. There was a gruelling shot to the body first as well.

Belt retained in just 45 seconds. I wonder what Hamzah Sheeraz made of that at ringside?

Thankfully Smith now seems fine after that brutal knockout.

Bentley stops Smith inside first minute

Saturday 15 April 2023 19:53 , George Flood

WOW!

An absolute demolition from Bentley and it’s all over inside a minute.

Absolutely ruthless.

He doesn’t celebrate as medics attend to Smith, who is thankfully now up off the canvas.

Bentley vs Smith

Saturday 15 April 2023 19:52 , George Flood

Tricky southpaw Kieran Smith is hoping to become Scotland’s first British middleweight champion for some 64 years.

‘Chopper’ is 18-1 and on a run of back-to-back wins since his first professional defeat by Troy Williamson in April 2021.

He’s seen off both James McCarthy and Gabor Gorbics.

Bentley vs Smith

Saturday 15 April 2023 19:49 , George Flood

Bentley is in his second reign as the British middleweight champion, having initially won the belt against Mark Heffron back in 2020 before losing it straightaway against Felix Cash in a bout that was also for the Commonwealth title.

He won it back against Linus Udofia last May and successfully defended it against Marcus Morrison before an unsuccessful attempt at dethroning Kazakhstan’s WBO world champion Janibek Alimkhanuly in Las Vegas in November.

Now he’s back at British level but hoping to quickly rise the ranks again, with this doubling up as a final eliminator for the Commonwealth strap held by Hamzah Sheeraz since the latter’s win over River Wilson-Bent.

Bentley vs Smith next

Saturday 15 April 2023 19:46 , George Flood

The British middleweight title is on the line next as Londoner Denzel Bentley defends his belt against Scotland’s Kieran Smith.

James dominates Velichkov in easy win

Saturday 15 April 2023 19:38 , George Flood

Referee Lee Every scores the bout 60-54 in James’ favour.

A very easy night’s work for Jammy in his first fight up at welterweight, but his wait for a first professional stoppage goes on.

To be fair Velichkov has only ever been stopped once, though that’s his 10th loss in a row.

A nothing performance from the Bulgarian and a real disappointment after he did okay against Ziyad Almaayouf only two weeks ago.

James vs Velichkov

Saturday 15 April 2023 19:33 , George Flood

Into the sixth and final round we go in the strongly one-sided first fight of the main undercard.

James has ticked off every round here no sweat, jabbing very well indeed with the left and landing some eye-catching punches from range and up close.

He’s accurate with his shots, letting his hands go in bunches and peppering the target at will.

Just lacking the power to put Velichkov in any real danger of being knocked out.

He’ll want a late stoppage as we enter the final three minutes, but I don’t think he’ll get one.

James hasn’t managed a stoppage yet as a pro. Some great single punches but not enough spiteful combinations.

James vs Velichkov

Saturday 15 April 2023 19:24 , George Flood

A nice start from James, who is dominating this six-rounder at the halfway point.

He’s quickly found his rhythm and opens up in the third, jabbing smartly with a dangerous left hook.

Velichkov firmly second best so far and offering very little.

James going through the gears and upping the tempo.

James vs Velichkov

Saturday 15 April 2023 19:14 , George Flood

Here we go then with the main card action at the Copper Box Arena!

First up it’s 22-year-old unbeaten Northampton prospect Eithan ‘Jammy’ James, who is up at welterweight for the first time tonight as he looks to go to 11-0.

He began his career at super-light but has struggled to make the weight and had a tough outing against Keanen Wainwright on the Liam Davies-Ionut Baluta undercard in Telford in November, coming back to win on points.

He’s now up against 3-11 Bulgarian Georgi ‘Baby Face’ Velichkov, who is on a run of nine straight losses but gave Saudi prospect Ziyad Al Maayouf some difficulties only two weeks ago on the Anthony Joshua-Jermaine Franklin undercard at the O2 Arena.

Saturday 15 April 2023 19:03 , George Flood

Liston Ali’s win wrapped up the early undercard action in Stratford.

The main programme is now underway!

Mikaela Mayer returns in tonight’s co-main event, with the likes of Moses Itauma, Sam Noakes and Denzel Bentley also coming up.

It’s Eithan James vs Georgi Velichkov up first on the main card.

Liston Ali beats Helm

Saturday 15 April 2023 18:50 , George Flood

Sonny Liston Ali was in full control of that six-rounder, pushing hard for the stoppage at times - including in the final three minutes.

He ends up going the distance, but this will be a comfortable victory on points.

Some stylish work on display from the Essex super-lightweight and some valuable rounds in the bank.

Here comes the referee’s official score - 60-54. Liston Ali goes to 6-0.

Joyce springs surprise at weigh-in

Saturday 15 April 2023 18:38 , George Flood

Joe Joyce sprang a surprise at yesterday’s weigh-in - tipping the scales at 256lbs (18st 2lbs).

That is his lowest weight since beating Bryant Jennings in his 10th pro bout back in 2019, and a stone less than he weighed for the electric win over Joseph Parker in Manchester in September.

Zhang, meanwhile, weighed in at a much heavier 278lbs - almost 20st.

“I don’t know what’s happened. It just seems to have fallen off,” Joyce said.

“I’ve been disciplined. This is the business end of my career so I need to get things right.”

Ali vs Helm

Saturday 15 April 2023 18:27 , George Flood

The brilliantly named Sonny Liston Ali is next on the early undercard at the Copper Box Arena.

The 24-year-old from Romford will hope to move to 6-0 as he takes on Richard Helm in a six-round battle in the super-lightweight division.

Gyimah outpoints Sharp

Saturday 15 April 2023 18:19 , George Flood

Gyimah, who has gone viral for some big knockouts in the past, goes the distance with veteran journeyman Sharp.

An aggressive display with some eye-catching punches and plenty to build on. He will have learned a lot.

Referee scores it 40-36 in favour of Freezy.

Gyimah vs Sharp

Saturday 15 April 2023 18:13 , George Flood

Gyimah always on the front foot and aggressive through two rounds - he almost stopped it with a vicious early barrage that sent the gumshield flying.

But the hugely durable Sharp is a master spoiler and has been doing his level best to disrupt his momentum throughout so far.

Gyimah just needs to stay calm and composed, pick his shots well and set up the huge punches behind the jab.

Joyce vs Zhang: Tale of the tape

Saturday 15 April 2023 18:07 , George Flood

Here’s how the two towering heavyweights stack up for tonight’s main event...

Early undercard action

Saturday 15 April 2023 18:01 , George Flood

The early undercard is off and running at the Copper Box Arena, where middleweight prospect Joel Kodua has already moved to 2-0 by outpointing journeyman Dale Arrowsmith.

Next up it’s Seth ‘Freezy Macbones’ Gyimah, who is looking to go 2-0 himself as a pro aged 33 after winning his debut against CJ Wood at York Hall last month.

He is up against Darryl Sharp, a veteran of 111 bouts - losing 104 of them.

This is another four-rounder at light-heavyweight.

Joyce vs Zhang prediction

Saturday 15 April 2023 17:52 , George Flood

Skilled southpaw Zhang, though nearing 40, will not be an easy man to dispose of and certainly packs a spiteful punch.

Still, Joyce is looking nothing short of unstoppable right now. Parker hit him with all he had and ‘The Juggernaut’ simply walked through it all with relative ease and a granite chin.

In fine fettle and having shown an ability to go into the deeper rounds, the huge-hitting Joyce cannot be overlooked and is a clear favourite for a reason.

Joyce to win via late knockout.

Joyce vs Zhang undercard

Saturday 15 April 2023 17:50 , George Flood

Mikaela Mayer vs Lucy Wildheart

Moses Itauma vs Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko

Sam Noakes vs Karthik Sathish Kumar

Denzel Bentley vs Kieran Smith

Eithan James vs Georgi Velichkov

Sonny Ali vs Richard Helm

Seth Gyimah vs Darryl Sharp

Joel Kodua vs Dale Arrowsmith

Joyce vs Zhang start time

Saturday 15 April 2023 17:47 , George Flood

The early undercard got underway at 5:30pm this evening, with coverage of the main card from 7pm.

Main event ring walks are expected at approximately 10:30pm, meanwhile.

As ever, those timings are subject to change depending on the length of the undercard fights.

How to watch Joyce vs Zhang

Saturday 15 April 2023 17:46 , George Flood

TV channel: In the UK, tonight’s event will be broadcast live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate, with coverage of the main undercard beginning at 7pm.

Live stream: BT Sport subscribers will also be able to stream live online via the BT Sport website or app.

Welcome to Joyce vs Zhang LIVE coverage!

Saturday 15 April 2023 17:42 , George Flood

Good evening and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage from a huge night of boxing at London’s Copper Box Arena.

Joe Joyce battles Zhilei Zhang later in what is sure to be an explosive main event between two massive heavyweights, with ‘The Juggernaut’ defending the WBO interim title he won with that gruelling late stoppage of Joseph Parker in Manchester last September.

The logjam and constant bickering at the top of boxing’s blue-riband division means Joyce has been forced to bide his time in pursuit of a major challenge, but he hopes an emphatic victory here will take him closer to a potential showdown with the likes of Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua or Oleksandr Usyk.

But he may get a stiff challenge from ‘Big Bang’ Zhang, the towering Chinese southpaw who will be smarting from his first professional defeat last time out - a contentious split decision against now IBF top contender Filip Hrgovic.

There is so much to look forward to on tonight’s undercard, including the return of Mikaela Mayer against late replacement opponent Lucy Wildheart plus the latest outing from exciting heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma, Sam Noakes and Denzel Bentley in British middleweight title action.

Stay tuned for live updates throughout the night!