Both Joyce and Zhang are durable but I just can’t see past anything else other than a Joyce win tbh .
Interesting match up. Rooting for Zhang as he's the underdog and I like a good southpaw, but I think Joyce will end up with mid fight KO.
Interesting fight. Joyce should win but Zhang showed against Hrgovic he's a good pressure fighter. He'll cause the Juggernaut problems but think big Joe will wear him down for a late ko.
Unlike Hrgovic, Joyce presses more and is more dangerous when he comes forward, Joyce also has a habit of opening up too much and neglecting the defense, that's where Zhang could have a chance...
Joyce amassing a hell of a resume before even getting a proper title fight. I have so much respect for his willingness to fight anyone.
Like with Dubois.... Joe will know the risks posed by Zhang, he'll take his time, peppering him with the jab for the first 5 or 6 rounds, do his level best to avoid that murderous right hook and straight left, then slowly amp up the pressure on a fading Zhang, and batter him senseless down the stretch, which will lead to a brutal stoppage victory. Thankfully for Joe, he seems to have no issue facing southpaws, he cuts the ring off quite well, and consistently moves to their extreme right, ushering his opponents to their left, constantly forcing them to pivot and reset their feet. So he may even end up causing Zhang to make mistakes and walk him into something early. Because the mental pressure even a slowed down Joyce puts on his opponents can be energy sapping.
I see where everyone is coming from saying this won't go the distance, but I'm actually gonna go against the grain and say I think it will. Both guys are extremely hard punchers but they also have pretty good chins, and I don't think either will have a hard time avoiding the other or tying up in an emergency, even in later rounds. Gonna fully admit though, that prediction is probably more from me being a fan of both and not wanting to see either of them get knocked out I want Zhang to win this, but my mind says Joyce by decision. Honestly though, I'm just glad we're even getting a fight like this, so no matter how it ends I'll be happy. I'm ready for the Silver medalist Slugfest.
