Joe Joyce seals Wembley rematch with Zhilei Zheng – WBO interim world title at stake

Joe Joyce will rematch Zhilei Zheng at Wembley’s OVO Arena on September 23.

Putney’s Joyce lost his WBO world interim heavyweight title when the pair first met in April due to a gruesomely swollen right eye which forced referee Howard Foster to call a halt.

But the former Earlsfield ABC amateur, who also represented Great Britain at the Olympics, struggled badly with the Chinese southpaw, who was able to land shuddering shots at will.

“I’m coming back to take back what’s mine,” said Joyce (15-1). “September 2 I am leaving everything in that ring. No compromises. No underestimating my opponent. Nothing, but a win.

“Last time out I lost my undefeated professional record. It was hard to take. But after the dust settled, all that will do is make me better. I’ve learned lessons. I’m ready. And I am coming for everything.”

Queensberry Promotions boss Frank Warren added: “This is a fight with high stakes written all over it. The first fight in April was the best heavyweight fight made this year and I am expecting more of the same at the OVO Arena on September 23.

“Joe will acknowledge that Zhilei did a number on him at the Copper Box and he has a lot to work on to put it right. But he knows what he has got to do, and his immediate future depends on him regaining his position as WBO interim world champion.”

Zhang (25-1-1) said: “I created history last time. And I believe the best way to inherit history is to create new ones. I look at the rematch as if it was a new fight. I look at Joe Joyce as if I never fought him before. I started from zero and this is the new self.”