Joyce vs Zhang: The fight will take place on Saturday, 15 April 2023, at the Copper Box Arena in London. The main event is scheduled to start at 10 p.m. local time (5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT). The fight will be broadcast live on ESPN+ in the U.S. and BT Sport in the U.K. Fans can also stream the fight online via the ESPN app or the BT Sport website or app.
Joe Joyce and Zhilei Zhang will face each other on April 15 at the Copper Box Arena in London, in a fight that could have major implications for the heavyweight division.
Tickets for the showdown between Joyce and Zhang on Saturday, 15 April at the Copper Box Arena go on sale at 11am on Wednesday, 15 February from ticketmaster.co.uk. Fans are encouraged to sign-up for Ticket Alerts to receive the ticket link directly to their inbox ahead of tickets going on sale.
WHEN IS JOYCE – ZHANG? START TIME
Date: Saturday, April 15
Main card: 7 p.m. BST / 2 p.m. ET
BT Sport will broadcast the fight in the UK, while fans in the U.S. can stream the fight LIVE on ESPN+
The fight will take place at the Copper Box Arena in London. Main event ringwalks (approx): 11 p.m. BST / 6 p.m. ET
The main card is set to get underway at 7 p.m. BST / 2 p.m. ET with the main event ringwalks scheduled for 11 p.m. BST / 6 p.m. ET.
Joe Joyce is one of the hottest prospects in the heavyweight scene, having knocked out former champion Joseph Parker in his last outing. The 37-year-old Londoner has an impressive record of 15-0, with 14 knockouts, and is the WBO interim titleholder. He is also ranked as the number one contender by the WBO, meaning he could get a shot at champion Oleksandr Usyk in the near future.
Zhilei Zhang is no pushover, though. The 39-year-old southpaw from China has a record of 24-1-1, with 19 knockouts, and is coming off a close loss to unbeaten contender Filip Hrgovic. Zhang gave Hrgovic a tough fight, and many observers thought he deserved the win. Zhang also has a solid amateur background, having won a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics and competed at the 2012 Games.
This fight promises to be an explosive and entertaining affair, as both fighters are big punchers who like to come forward and trade blows. Joyce has the advantage of size, power and experience, but Zhang has the speed, agility and southpaw stance that could pose problems for Joyce. Both fighters are also motivated to prove themselves and earn bigger opportunities in the crowded heavyweight landscape.
Who will emerge victorious in this battle of Olympians? Will Joyce continue his unbeaten streak and move closer to a title shot? Or will Zhang pull off an upset and make history for China? Tune in on April 15 to find out!
You can watch this fight live on ESPN+ in the US and BT Sport in the UK. The main event is expected to start around 10 p.m. local time (5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT). The undercard features some exciting matchups, including Mikaela Mayer vs. Christina Linardatou for the WBO female junior lightweight title, Denzel Bentley vs. Kieran Smith for the British middleweight title, and Sam Noakes vs. Karthik Sathish Kumar in a lightweight bout.
FIGHT CARD
Joe Joyce vs. Zhilei Zhang; For Joyce’s WBO interim world heavyweight title
Denzel Bentley vs. Kieran Smith; Middleweight
Sam Noakes vs. Karthik Kumar; Lightweight
Mikaela Mayer vs. Christina Linardatou; Lightweight
Sonny Ali vs. Richard Helm; Welterweight
Moses Itouma vs. Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko; Heavyweight
