JOE JOYCE is back in heavyweight action as he takes on Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang TONIGHT.
The Juggernaut hasn't been in the ring since he dismantled Joseph Parker in 11 rounds back in their September slugfest.
While Zhang beat Filip Hrgovic by a controversial unanimous decision in his last fight.
- Ring walk time: 10pm BST
- Live stream: BT Sport website
- TV channel: BT Sport 1
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- Nyle Smith
Zhang's last fight
Zhilei Zhang came out victorious in his last fight against Filip Hrgovic but fans didn't agree with the decision.
The Chinese heavyweight seemed to be up against it for most of the battle in August.
But a huge right hand knockdown in the final minute of the first and a slice on the outside of Hrgovic's was enough to earn Zhang the win.
Something tells me that the Chinese fighter is set to be tested even more.
- Nyle Smith
What happened in September?
Joe Joyce dispatched Joseph Parker with a stunning knockout to win their heavyweight clash.
A huge left hook in the 11th round saw former world champ Parker stopped for the first time in his career.
Both fighters landed heavy shots in a brutal main event in Manchester before Joyce pulled away to finish in dominant style.
Joyce was winning on ALL three judges' scorecards before the big finale to cap a sensational performance.
Credit: Getty - Nyle Smith
Zhang is not hiding
Zhilei Zhang responded with respect mentioning that to be the best you have to beat the best and that he refuses to run from challenges.
I don't believe that a fighter's chin can be tough enough to handle a perfectly timed punch.
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.
- Nyle Smith
Joyce shows respect
Joe Joyce admitted that he could have had an easier fight but the Juggernaught wanted to test himself with the Chinese star.
I could have waited around and have had an easier fight, but I thought, 'why not have a test and stay ready?
He's a top fighter… and this leads me on nicely to Usyk or Fury, which is what I'm hoping for – a big summer fight, potentially
- Nyle Smith
The Joyce of boxing
Two heavyweights ready to leave it all in the ring with a potential shot at Tyson Fury – it doesn't get bigger than this.
Credit: Reuters - Nyle Smith
What is the full card?
Below is the full including the main event which is expected to get underway just gone 10pm.
- Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang
- Denzel Bentley vs Kieran Smith
- Sam Noakes vs Karthik Sathish Kumar
- Mikaela Mayer vs Lucy Wildheart
- Sonny Ali vs Richard Helm
- Moses Itauma vs Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko
- Seth Gyimah vs Darryl Sharp
- Eithan James vs. Georgi Velichkov
Welcome to Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang
I hope you have got your snacks at the ready boxing fans as tonight is the night where we finally get to see Joe Joyce return to the ring against Chinese icon Zhilei Zhang – and SunSport will be all over it.
The Juggernaut is undefeated as a pro and with some beefy names on his resume, Joyce is still looking for his first world title shot.
And he's set to wait a little longer as he faces all-action fighter Zhang at the Copper Box in London.
However, Joyce will be oozing with confidence going into this one as he dismantled Joseph Parker in 11 rounds during his September slump fest.
Furthermore, the winner could go on to face WBC champion Tyson Fury, whose fight with Oleksandr Usyk fell through last month.
But before we find that out, there are some huge names on the undercard for the fans to sink their teeth into.
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