'Joyce is smarter than Zhang' - Johnny Nelson Predicts Joyce-Zhang Rematch
This month, Joe Joyce is gearing up for a significant rematch against Zhilei Zhang, the fighter who handed him his first professional defeat and tarnished his "indestructible" reputation in the process. In their previous bout, Zhang's precise and powerful left hand caused Joyce's eye to swell so severely that the referee had to call off the fight in the sixth round. This victory earned Zhang the title of WBO Interim Champion and set him on a path to challenge Oleksandr Usyk for the full belt. However, Joyce has a chance at redemption with a contractual rematch clause, and he's been diligently preparing for this opportunity. Reflecting on what went wrong in their last encounter, former cruiserweight champion and boxing pundit Johnny Nelson offered some insights.
“In my head, in the last fight Joe got greedy. As in he tried to knock him out. Worse thing you can do, because when you punch him you’re eventually gassing yourself out. So what he’s been doing to everybody else was done to him. What Joe should do it not get greedy, be Joe. Let the shots go. This happens when you fight somebody that’s easy to hit. When I was at cruiserweight and I fought heavyweights, you can get greedy because you’re faster than them. You whack him, and whack him again and think ‘I’m gonna get rid of him.’ He’s still there and you’re gassed.”Nelson provided a strategic plan for Joyce's rematch, taking into account Joyce's decision to come in at a heavier weight this time.
“In this fight, Joe’s got to be consistent, be The Juggernaut, let the shots go in and out. Don’t stand in the pocket with the guy because you’re up against a bigger version of yourself, but he’s smarter than Zhang. And that’s how he beats him as far as I see it. He can win, I believe he does win.”Joyce's opportunity for redemption is scheduled for September 23 in London, and fans in the UK can catch all the action on TNT Sports. Nelson expressed his belief that this time around, it will be revenge rather than a repeat of their previous encounter.
