By Geno McGahee
In a slight upset, Zhilei Zhang, 25-1-1, 20 KO’s, beat Joe Joyce, 15-1, 14 KO’s, by 6th round referee stoppage.
From the opening round, Zhang controlled the action and landed his straight left with regularity and is the first fighter to ever hurt Joyce. In round two, he landed a very hard straight left that sent him reeling.
After Joyce was hurt, the steam was off his punches and Zhang was dodging well and firing back with his right hook and left crosses. The face of Joyce was getting torn up with his right eye closed and his nose bleeding.
The strength and consistency that Joyce relied on in the past failed tonight and Zhang had a great game plan and was on his way to knock Joyce cold. As the right eye closed, the doctor got involved and despite Joyce answering the questions correctly, it was called.
Zhang now wants a title shot and considering what was seen tonight, he could be competitive with anyone on the top.
