In a heavyweight bout that just ended, Beijing 2008 Beijing Super Heavyweight Silver Medallist Zhang Zhilei (25-1-1, 20 KOs) was a huge blow and knocked out Britain's undefeated Joe Joyce (15-1, 14 KOs) in six rounds to claim the WBO heavyweight transitional title.
The tournament was held in Queen Elizabeth Park, London, England, which is also today's main event. The pre-match odds were 1-10, and Zhang Zhilei was one-sidedly bearish, and many fans even predicted that he would not be able to go through 6 rounds. In the first round, Zhang Zhilei hit Joyce several heavy punches, although Joyce punched more, but not as accurate as Zhang Zhilei. In the second round, Zhang Zhilei punched Joyce with several left hooks. In the third round, Joyce increased his offensive rhythm and punched more than Zhang Zhilei, but also received several heavy punches from Zhang Zhilei, but the scene still prevailed. In the 4th round, although Zhang Zhilei did not punch much, he fought more efficiently, Joyce's right eye became more and more swollen, and Zhang Zhilei also began to find a breakthrough.
At the beginning of the sixth round, the referee checked Joyce's injury, and although he was allowed to continue the match, the injury was already serious. Round 6 went on to 1:23, and when the referee saw Joyce see Zhang Zhilei's consecutive punches, he immediately terminated the match, when Round 6 was going on to 1:23.
Beating his opponents, the 39-year-old Zhang Zhilei rose to a 25-1 draw, 20-fight knockout opponents, and is now 10th in the BOXREC-heavyweight overall rankings. Today's victory really shocked the world boxing world, but the victory also had some luck components, and if Joyce's right eye had not been swollen, Zhang Zhilei would have been difficult to win today. Although Zhang Zhilei only got the WBO transitional boxing title belt, one of the four major boxing organizations, today, it is definitely a historic breakthrough for Chinese boxing, especially heavyweight boxing.