Derek Chisora Mocks Joe Joyce With Zhilei Zhang Mask At Weigh In

Derek Chisora Mocks Joe Joyce With Zhilei Zhang Mask At Weigh In
Image credit: TNT Sports
Kerr Ferguson

Following a week of Derek Chisora trying to get into Joe Joyce‘s head, all that’s left to do is fight.

The two British big men weighed in ahead of their twelve-rounder tomorrow night at the O2, which has played hosts to Chisora’s best knockouts against Artur Szpilka, Carlos Takam and David Price.

Most recently he beat American Gerald Washington over the distance after coming off a third career loss to Tyson Fury.

At the beginning of 2023, Joyce was being discussed with the very best in the division, trying to tempt Anthony Joshua into a fight whilst being mandatory for Oleksandr Usyk’s world titles. China’s Zhilei Zhang put paid to those plans with two stoppage wins over the Londoner, the second being particularly brutal.

Neither man can really afford a loss in the main event at London’s O2 Arena, but the stakes must be higher for Joyce who, after those bruising losses to Zhang, still wants to compete at the very top of the division. While Chisora certainly wouldn’t turn fights against the elite down, he has already made up his mind that he will fight twice more to take his record to 50 regardless.

At the weigh-in, Chisora (256.7lbs) came out sporting a mask of Zhang following yesterday’s press conference when he said Joyce’s losses to the Chinese southpaw were an ’embarrassment.’ Joyce (281.2lbs), unfazed, then delivered one of the most intense stare-downs of his career.

There’s little doubt Chisora, 40, will live up to his ring moniker ‘War’ from the opening bell, taking the fight straight to Joyce who is far from the fastest starter. If ‘The Juggernaut’, 38, can weather the storm – and it could be a very quick one – many expect him to look similar to his old self, working behind a stiff jab and impressive engine to break his man down before the final bell.

The fight takes place on Saturday night and can be watched live on TNT Sports.

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