Joyce claims Zhang surprised him when the fight started: 'I had no idea he was so fast and accurate'

It's not easy for heavyweights to prepare for fast southpaws because there aren't many capable sparring partners. He's not the first to be surprised by a deadly southpaw... look at Wladimir Klitschko.

 

Everyone overlooked him, me included.

 

Zhang looked laser focused on the conference.

 

Joyce didn’t do his homework last time out.

 

Joyce tweeted something before the fight to the effect of "everyone has a plan until they hit me in the face and nothing happens".....

Overconfidence, hubris and Zhang had different thoughts

 

Joyce just was delighted with his success and forget to be humble.
I remeber he was very respectfull but later, when ppl start rated him high he start talking ****...
When You lost humility You often stop thinking properly.
Joyce got perfect materials for check Zhang abilites. He got Hrgovic vs Zhang. But probably he think he is much better than Hrgovic.

He said before that fight that Joshua now want be on his position (lol). Karma have no mercy. Im pretty sure Joshua never want be on his position a special now...

I dont buy this talk. He just meet quicker puncher and his iron chin cant safe him...

 

This, it was a stoppage but not a knockout. Though in fairness, Zhang came a hell of a lot closer than anyone else. That second round staggering got me jumping off of my couch, shocked the hell out of me. I wanted Zhang to win but I didn't see that coming. Though for what it's worth, I'm expecting an actual KO this time.

I'm curious how Joe's eye will hold up. Zhang is almost certainly gonna be going hard at that for the first couple of rounds.

 

Well, Joyce had plenty of time to get fast lefty sparring this time & knows what to expect this time so lets see what he does. The problem for him is his bad defensive habits and the fact that Zhand is more skilled and accurate. Joyce basically admitted Zhang is smarter that him and blew right through his one dimensional plans.

 

And those are things that he cannot really overcome at this stage, specially in an immediate rematch. Curious to see if he will have a different gameplan. He cannot change how slow he is and how fast Zhang is.

 

I dk how it looks here but I can read many times that Joe got soo strong chin that he probably can be heart only by Wilder maybe.

I said to ppl that Filip got strong chin too and was wobbled and Joe is slower soo he will take much damage.

He was wobbled hard in second round. And he was "mr iron chin". Its looks like mr iron chin cant take Zhang shoots without problem.

But what I mean. Joe have awfull defence. In some level he can take shoots and answer himself. Ppl belive this time will be same. Zhang land smth, its not work on iron chin, he get tired and Joe knock him out.
But real fight show that poor defence with Zhang can cost You big price.

 

I feel like he'll come in with a new plan but revert to his usual ways after getting clocked a few times. He's at that age where it's hard to reliably switch up your gameplan when you've stuck by just one or two for so long. Goes back to the old "Everybody's got a plan until they get punched in the mouth" saying.

Still, I think this is a winnable fight for Joe. If his eye actually holds up this time, or the ref isn't as cautious as Foster, he could end up outlasting Zhang's gas tank and getting a late stoppage, or outpointing him. Also we gotta consider the fact Zhang is 40, aging overnight is a real possibility. Course it's also possible for Joe too, who is a few years younger but has also taken a good bit more damage due to his defensive abilities mostly consisting of usually absorbing damage instead of actually blocking it. I won't be surprised at either guy winning.

That said, my personal prediction is a Zhang KO around the same point, 5-7.

 

I never understood this narrative either. He doesn't have great footwork but it isn't below average or anything, especially not for his size. On top of that, the dude's hands are deceptively fast, both in his ability to strike out of nowhere and block/parry punches.

Honestly if it wasn't for the **** poor gas tank he'd be the whole package. Decent movement, fast hands, lotta power, good chin, great defense. Dunno if it's getting better management, luck when it comes to getting big fights or some combination, but I'm glad he's getting to shine a bit lately. Shame it couldn't have happened sooner but hey, it's something. Got him an interim title at least, and maybe a shot at the king if he can win in a couple of days.