Zhang is about 22lbs heavier than Joyce.

if that happens, then i will give joe his props, as that will be a better display of boxing than ive seen from him so far.

 

Let's go, Zhang!

I always want to see an upset.

 

Big Bang the Chinese Bear! Like he said "I Bang Everything!!!"

 

My point is he could do all of that at a higher BW. Given his extreme contempt for defence, his ability to hold a shot will always play a major factor in his fights so him coming in lighter is overall more of a net loss.

 

Zhang looks good for that weight.

 

He doesn't hold an extreme contempt for defence. He won't be taking anything silly from Zhang if he can help it.

 

Then my lying eyes must’ve betrayed me when I saw him in every fight stalking his opponent with his hands and his waist tanking huge bombs. I think Joyce will probably win this one given Zhang’s terrible conditioning but he very easily could get caught with something meaningful early.

 

Fighting with his hands at his waist? Yeah your eyes must have betrayed you. When does he do that?

 

He holds a lose high guard in the centre of the ring but when he stalks his man to the ropes and opens up, the hands come down to the waist. This is when he is most vulnerable, for instance in the Stiverne he got clocked time and again with telegraphed looping hooks as he closed in.
Zhang for a big guy throws deceptively quick short and hooks and uppercuts which will get to Joyce at some point if he asserts himself too strongly early on.

 

Zhang does look to have that nasty shocking power that comes from his timing, underrated hand speed and strength. Seems like a real cool and collected fighter in there. I have a feeling he’s shutting Joe off in this one

 

Joyce's opponents connect on something like 40% of their power shots. He's going to be in trouble if Zhang lands at that clip. I don't know what punchers Joyce has faced but Zhang is probably the heaviest handed one. We'll see if his chin holds up because I do think Joyce is going to get nailed with some shots.

 

Only because Hrgovic softened up Big Bang!

 

Another thing no one talks about is Zhang's chin. I couldn't find him losing by stoppage as an AM and I don't think he's been down as pro (please correct me if I'm wrong). Zhang might also be packing titanium in his chin. So, if people think Joyce is just going to walk through him, I think they are going to be mistaken.

Maybe Joyce came in light to just try and box Zhang and win a decision. I don't think Joyce is super heavy-handed, he just wears his opponents down. Maybe Zhang's stamina is bad enough for it to happen where Joyce gets him late through accumulation. But I think this is a very dangerous fight for Joyce, I do think Zhang is his best opponent (and yes, I rate him higher than the current Parker).

 

I'm going with Zhang in upset.. but I'm not putting money on it.