Zhilei Zhang & Chinese Power overwhelm Joe Joyce in London

It is said that pride comes before a fall and while ’The Juggernaut’ Joe Joyce did not actually hit the canvas in his resounding defeat to ’Chinese Power’ Zhilei Zhang, his star did plummet as a result of the upset. During fight week WBO Interim champion Joyce, admittedly encouraged by a press core keen both for alluring headlines and domestic grudge matches, spoke far more of exalted rivals Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, than he did of southpaw Zhang, Joe’s fellow Olympic silver medallist who many had felt highly unfortunate to be judged a loser versus Filip Hrgovic last time out.

While Joyce insisted he had focused on Zhang during a typically thorough training camp under renowned Cuban coach Ismael Salas, it has to be said that from the moment the bell rang to when the referee ended his misery, on the advice of the ringside doctor, in round six, the Putney man looked completely clueless in how to combat a left-hander. Zhang invariably beat Joyce to the punch here in London, taking away his lauded jab with fast combinations. His long straight left hammered Joyce’s right eye with alarming regularity, eventually pounding it shut and precipitating the merciful conclusion.

Joyce could never truly establish any sort of rhythm, Zhang moving his head or feet to avoid shots before countering with a speed and fluidity that belies his size. While Joyce’s celebrated durability enabled him to stay on his feet and in with a puncher’s chance, he was dominated and gradually broken down.

Zhang thus won the WBO belt and called out Fury in the post-fight - a lucrative option in China for the ’Gypsy King’ - while Joyce and promoter Queensberry hinted he may take an interim fight before seeking a return with Zhilei, despite the existence of the familiar rematch clause in the contract.

Mikaela Mayer won her debut at lightweight on the Copper Box Arena show, despite having to deal with a new opponent at incredibly short notice, when original adversary Christina Linardatou failed a medical the previous day. In came feisty Lucy Widheart, who put forth a strong effort but was ultimately pushed back and outworked by the rangy former unified super-featherweight queen.

Now armed with the WBO Interim crown at 135lbs, Mayer is targeting undisputed champion Katie Taylor.

Highlight of the undercard was Denzel Bentley’s brutal 45-second KO of Kieran Smith. British middleweight champion Bentley started fast (clearly!) and finished the talented Scot, his back to the ropes, with a potent short right hand. Bentley secured the coveted Lonsdale Belt outright with this victory, in his second reign, and now looks to move back towards world level, having given WBO king Zhanibek Alimkhanuly all he could handle, in November.