Joe Joyce addresses retirement claims following brutal KO defeat to Zhilei Zhang

24 September 2023 , 11:02

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Joyce was beaten again by Zhang on Saturday night

Joe Joyce says there is "no chance" he will retire after his rematch with Zhilei Zhang ended in another brutal knockout defeat.

Joyce, 38, came in at the heaviest weight of his career in an attempt to exact revenge on Chinese heavyweight Zhang, having being stopped for the first time in his career back in April.

But there was a sense of inevitability from the opening bell before the Brit was dropped in the third round with a crushing right hook.

His career now appears to be on the line just months after being discussed in the same bracket as Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, and being heralded as a future world champion.

Despite the setback, Joyce insisted: "I'm feeling good, I'm feeling OK. It's not the end of the world. I can rebuild and come back. I am going to take a bit of time to reflect and review where I went wrong."

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The Juggernaut struggled with Zhang's southpaw stance in the first fight and was left needing hospital treatment on an eye injury. He wasted no time in activating the rematch clause, insisting lessons had been learned.

Joyce said his weight had played a part in that April defeat and weighed in 25lbs heavier for the rematch. Yet he appeared sluggish and his body shots had little success or power as Zhang landed a series of impressive combinations.

Joyce lies on the ground after being brutally knocked out by Zhang

Zhang has now propelled himself into world title contention but the next step for Joyce is unclear with Carl Frampton among those questioning his ability at the top level.

Frampton said: "There were no changes from the last performance. It is difficult to see where Joe goes from this point. I think he was still feeling a hangover from that first fight."

There are also more questions about the matchmaking of Joyce's team with the dejected Brit receiving oxygen as he sat on his stool, and he left the ring before the post-fight interviews.

"There's plenty of learning to do. He's a tough fighter. Maybe it was a risk too far. I could have gone another route and maybe taken an easier fight and bided my time," he maintained.

"That would have probably been better but no risk, no rewards. I have taken losses in the amateurs. I prefer to win obviously but I feel OK."

Liam Prenderville