Joe Joyce insists his heavyweight title dream is not over despite suffering a shock defeat by Zhilei Zhang.
‘The Juggernaut’ saw hopes of securing a massive next fight against the likes of WBC champion Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua and staying in the long queue of mandatory contenders for unified titlist Oleksandr Usyk wrecked by a devastating loss on home soil at London’s Copper Box Arena on Saturday night.
It was the unexpected first setback of Joyce’s professional career as he lost both his unbeaten record and the WBO interim title he claimed with a gruelling late stoppage of former champion Joseph Parker in Manchester last year.
Instead it is China’s vastly experienced Zhang who will now seek a full title opportunity further down the line, with his impressive display of power punching inflicting severe damage early on and forcing an out-of-sorts Joyce’s right eye to become swollen shut - eventually leading to proceedings being waved off in the sixth round after two assessments by the ringside doctor.
Such a nasty injury now looks set to keep Joyce, 38, out of the ring for quite some time, but he vowed to return stronger and better after admitting that he struggled badly against the challenge of a hard-hitting southpaw and could not avoid his formidable left hand as his eye got progressively worse throughout the fight.
“I’m disappointed with my performance,” he told BT Sport afterwards. “Respect to Zhilei Zhang, Big Bang, it was a good fight. I think I could have done better.
“I haven’t fought a southpaw for so long and credit to him because he’s a good fighter. I gave it my all, I think I could do better.
“It’s just disappointing. I expected to win, like I normally do. Thanks for all the support and congratulations.”
Asked how he could have fared better on the night, a gracious Joyce replied: “Just a little bit more practice. Zhang is a fellow [Olympic] silver medalist, he’s a good fighter, he hits hard and it’s an awkward style because he’s a southpaw and a powerful southpaw at that.
“I kept on getting hit with his left hand and I just couldn’t get away from it. I’m disappointed, I’d like to apologise to all my fans and supporters.
“I’ll be back. My journey’s not over, this is just a hurdle I may have tripped over. I’ll be back.”
