'Zhang is the smart money' - Says Carl Froch Before the Froch vs Zhang 2
Zhilei Zhang took advantage of Joe Joyce's defensive vulnerabilities in their previous bout in April. Now, the question is whether former super-middleweight champion Carl Froch believes Zhang can replicate that success. Joyce deserves credit for agreeing to a rematch only five months after his first career loss. In their previous encounter, Zhang, a southpaw, outclassed Joyce with precise punches that ultimately led to an eye injury and a sixth-round stoppage. During an interview with TalkSPORT, Froch expressed doubt about Joyce's ability to avoid Zhang's punches in the Froch vs Zhang 2. He noted that Zhang effectively timed his backhand shots, setting up Joyce and utilizing the jab. According to Froch, Joyce lacks the defensive skills necessary to protect himself in such situations.
“I just thought that Zhang was timing him nicely with that backhand. Walking him into it, picking him off with the jab and then timing him. It caused the damage on the eye. You want Joe Joyce to be able to just get his head off the centre, maybe get his guard up, block a few shots, roll and slip, but he just doesn’t do any of that. He hasn’t got it in his arsenal. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. What age is he? 38? So he’s not going to change. He’s going to come and do what he does and hope his fitness and his strength is enough to win. But Zhang I feel has got his number.”Froch emphasized that it might be challenging to teach an older fighter like Joyce new defensive techniques before Froch vs Zhang 2. Given Joyce's age, around 38, Froch believes he is unlikely to change his approach and will rely on his fitness and strength to win. However, Froch believes that Zhang has figured out Joyce's style.
“Not get hit early on, make Zhang work. But to do that he’s going to have to defend himself, and he’s got no defence. He’s got no head movement. If he’s walking into shots, I feel like the writing’s on the wall. This is a must-win fight for him as well, otherwise where does he go? Back-to-back defeats against Zhang – he’s in trouble.”Froch echoed the common sentiment that for Joyce to succeed against Zhang in Froch vs Zhang 2, he must avoid early punches and force Zhang to work harder. But this strategy requires improved defense, something Joyce currently lacks. Froch believes that if Joyce continues to walk into Zhang's punches, it doesn't bode well for his chances. This Froch vs Zhang 2 is crucial for Joyce; another defeat to Zhang could spell trouble for his career.
“Yeah listen if I was lumping a bet on it, I’d say Zhang is the smart money. But it’s a two horse race. Anything can happen, and Joe Joyce would’ve learnt from that. He was devastated.”
