A huge night of heavyweight boxing action is set for Saturday, as Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce collide for the second time. It will be a massive night for both fighters, as a victory for either would set up a potential title showdown with Oleksandr Usyk in 2024.
Zhilei Zhang vs Joe Joyce II Odds
Zhilei Zhang comes into this second showdown with Joyce as the commanding favorite in the BetXchange betting. The Chinese heavyweight is currently a 9/10 chance in the three-way odds, while he is slightly shorter at 8/10 in the two-way betting market.
Joyce is 19/20 in the three-way betting to avenge his defeat from the first clash, while the Brit is 17/20 in the two-way market. The draw is the most lucrative of the available betting markets at 16/1.
Zhilei Zhang Favoured To Repeat
Zhang has been regarded as one of the most dangerous heavyweights throughout his career, and he finally got his career back on track in April by scoring a shock TKO win over Joyce in the sixth round. The Chinese fighter appeared to be at a cross roads in his career before that win, as he had been beaten by Filip Hrgovic in August 2022.
But, that defeat in Saudi Arabia remains the only loss that the Chinese heavyweight has suffered. There were questions after that defeat surrounding the scoring of the bout, with many believing that Zhang had done enough to win the bout. The Chinese heavyweight comes into this weekend’s fight after winning 25 of his 27 professional bouts, with 20 wins coming by knockout. The only other blotch on his professional record was a draw against Jerry Forrest in Miami in February 2021.
Joyce Desperate For Response
There will be a need for a reaction by Joyce this weekend, as the 37-year-old looks to recapture his mandatory status for Usyk’s WBO heavyweight title. The British star won gold at both the Commonwealth and European Games, and was a silver medallist at the 2016 Olympics. He made an excellent start to his professional career, by winning each of his first 15 professional bouts, with 14 victories coming by knockout.
The standout of those wins was a stunning tenth-round victory over Daniel Dubois in November 2020. That success was backed up by stoppage victories against Carlos Takam and Joseph Parker. There was a sense that victory over Zhang in the first meeting would see him earn a title opportunity for later in the year, but the subsequent defeat means that there is now pressure on the Brit to get back on track this weekend.
Zhilei Zhang vs Joe Joyce II Prediction
This is a fascinating rematch between these two heavyweight stars, and we are more than happy to take on the current favourite. Joyce has shown throughout his career that he bounces back from setbacks in excellent fashion, and there is fine value in siding with the British star avenging his defeat in the first encounter this weekend.
