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Chinese language southpaw Zhilei Zhang (25-1-1, 20 KOs) earned an important victory of his profession with a shocking sixth-round TKO over undefeated hometown hero Joe Joyce (15-1, 14 KOs).
Zhang shocked Joyce with sharp left palms within the first two rounds. Within the following spherical, Joyce tried to step up his offense, however his incapability to see Zhang’s left hand stunted his momentum.
By rounds 4 and 5, Zhang started comfortably touchdown his pictures from shut vary, utilizing his excessive guard protection to keep away from return fireplace as Joyce’s proper eye started to swell.
After two inspections from the ringside physician, referee Howard Foster was compelled to finish the battle at 1:23 of spherical six.
Zhang mentioned, “At this time belongs to me. It belongs to everybody who confirmed up. It belongs to each Chinese language one who confirmed up at this time.
“I’m 39 years previous. However I’m disciplined. I prepare laborious. The following step is for me to battle for a world title.”
Joyce mentioned, “I’m simply upset with my efficiency. The [left] hand stored hitting me, and I couldn’t get out of the way in which. So, respect to Zhilei Zhang. It was an excellent battle, however I feel I may have performed higher.
“I haven’t fought a southpaw for therefore lengthy. Credit score to him as a result of he’s an excellent fighter. I gave it my all, and I feel I can do higher. It’s simply disappointing. I anticipated to win like I usually do.”
Mikaela Mayer (18-1, 5 KOs) is able to take over the light-weight division. The previous unified junior light-weight champion made a profitable debut at 135 kilos by defeating Swedish contender Lucy Wildheart (10-2, 4 KOs) by way of unanimous resolution Saturday evening at Copper Field Enviornment in London.
The 32-year-old was initially scheduled to face Christina Linardatou, however the former two-time junior welterweight champion was compelled to withdraw after not assembly British Boxing Board of Management necessities. Wildheart, with solely 24 hours’ discover, stepped as much as the problem.
Mayer dictated the tempo by mixing sharp jabs to the top and physique earlier than unleashing quick hooks on the within. Wildheart, who’s over three inches shorter than Mayer, had some success together with her overhand proper.
By spherical three, Mayer’s left eye confirmed indicators of swelling. Within the fourth and fifth rounds, Mayer stood her floor extra and began to alternate on the within, starting her mixtures with hooks to the physique as an alternative of a jab.
In line with CompuBox, Mayer set new profession highs by way of physique punches, as she landed 18 within the fifth spherical and 166 all through the battle.
Mayer captured the WBC interim light-weight title by scores of 100-90, 98-91 and 98-92, and she or he expressed her need to change into undisputed at her new weight class.
Mayer mentioned, “She stepped in on the final minute, in order that was actually gutsy of her. It’s positively an enormous battle for her to simply bounce in at 24 hours’ discover. However she was robust and sturdy. I see why she had the boldness to try this, so props to her.
“I prefer to battle on the within, so as soon as I knew that she couldn’t outbox me, I made a decision to take it to her somewhat bit and attempt to break her right down to the physique.
“I do consider that Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are speculated to go for his or her rematch, so assuming that also occurs, I’ll problem the winner of that. So, it’s positively actually thrilling for me. That is the place I belong. I belong in massive fights. I belong in world title fights. I’m in my prime. I really feel nice, and I need the hardest challenges potential, and proper now at 135, that’s Katie Taylor.”
Heavyweights: 18-year-old phenom Moses Itauma (3-0, 2 KOs) went the gap for the primary time in his profession by defeating iron-chinned Ukrainian Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko (9-13-1, 6 KOs) by way of six-round unanimous resolution. Rating: 60-54.
Lightweights: Sam Noakes (11-0, 11 KOs) scored a second-round TKO in opposition to Karthik Sathish Kumar (10-1, 4 KOs). Noakes dropped Kumar as soon as within the first spherical and once more within the second earlier than referee John Latham referred to as a halt to the battle at 1:17.
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