Chinese heavyweight boxing champ Zhang Zhilei blasts Joe Joyce as rematch is set – ‘he’s speaking to media, I’m training like hell’
- Zhang unable to go to London press conference but says ‘hard work is my statement’ after watching Joyce speak at event
- Interim WBO heavyweight champion insists ‘I don’t mind creating history again’ with bout set for Wembley’s OVO Arena in September
Interim WBO heavyweight champion Zhang Zhilei has taken a swipe at Joe Joyce after it was announced their rematch will take place at Wembley’s OVO Arena in September.
The Chinese boxer, 40, stunned his British opponent in their first encounter in April, which was stopped in the sixth round after Joyce’s swollen eye was twice inspected by the ringside doctor.
Zhang, who has won 25 fights, with one loss and one draw since turning professional in 2014, said after creating history last time he believed “the best way to inherit history is to create new ones”.
“I created history last time. I don’t mind doing it again,” Zhang said in a post on his Instagram account.
“I look at the rematch as is if it is a new fight. I look at Joe Joyce as if I never fought him before.
“A lot of people think there is no chance for a Chinese boxer to become heavyweight champion. I always disagree.