Joe Joyce fight time: Start time and ring walks for Zhilei Zhang bout
Joe Joyce is set for his latest tough heavyweight battle against Chinese contender Zhilei Zhang tonight.
The British star remains undefeated and wants to continue momentum in his journey towards a world title shot when he defends his WBO interim champion status against Zhang. Joyce put on a superb display to become the first man to stop Joseph Parker in the professional ranks last time out, and another win will see him edge closer to his long-awaited title tilt.
Meanwhile Zhang will be hoping to hijack his spot at the top of the rankings having been edged by Filip Hrgovic last time out in controversial fashion on the judges scorecards. A win for 'The Juggernaut' could also set up a potential showdown with Tyson Fury as the pair have talked up an all-British meeting.
Here is all you need to know ahead of Joe Joyce's ring return tonight...
When is Joe Joyce fighting and what time does it start?
Joyce's heavyweight ring return will take place on Saturday April 15 at the Copper Box Arena in London. The fights tonight are set to begin at 7pm with the action broadcast live from then in the UK. After a whole host of talent has fought on the undercard including Mikaela Mayer and Moses Itauma, the ring walks for the headline attraction are expected to commence at 10:30pm.
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The action is then set to unfold in the ring at at around 10:45pm but this will depend on the duration of the undercard bouts which could delay the main event.
How to watch via TV and live stream
The fight will be shown exclusively on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate (UHD) from 7pm with the undercard action set to get underway on the official broadcast. Fans will not be required to fork out a one-off pay-per-view fee with the fight card included as part of their standard BT Sport subscription.
Action can also be followed via the BT Sport app and on mobile, tablet and laptop via BTSport.com.
Undercard
Main Event: Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang – WBO interim heavyweight title
Denzel Bentley vs Kieran Smith
Sam Noakes vs Karthik Sathish Kumar
Mikaela Mayer vs Christina Linardatou
Sonny Ali vs Richard Helm
Eithan James vs. Georgi Velichkov
Moses Itauma vs Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko
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Seth Gyimah vs Darryl Sharp
Joel Kodua vs Dale Arrowsmith
Odds
Joyce 1/10
Zhang 6/1
Which fight are you most excited for tonight? Let us know in the comments section below
Quotes corner
Joyce: " Is it off or on? I am here and Fury said he wants to fight me so that would be a great summer fight," Joyce told Mirror Fighting in an exclusive chat. "It would be great after I fight Zhang if the Usyk fight doesn't happen. I have always said I want to fight Fury and now he has been saying he wants to fight me.
"I back myself to beat anyone and Fury I have sharred the ring with in sparring and I think it was 50/50 during the rounds. We did good work and I think on the main stage we would up our levels and it would be a great fight. Fury said he would like that fight and I am the number two heavyweight so I will beat up Zhang back in London town, and then I am hoping I will be back out here to train [US] to take on Fury."
Zhang: " To be the best you have to beat the best. This is part of the dream to become world champion. I never run from a challenge when an opportunity presents itself. I don't believe that a fighter's chin can be tough enough to handle a perfectly timed punch.
"I don't worry about talking. I talk with my fists. "It makes no sense to worry about that. It's my job to convince the judges of a victory."
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