Joe Joyce vs. Zhilei Zhang undercard: Complete list of fights before main event in 2023 boxing match

Daniel Yanofsky

Joe Joyce vs. Zhilei Zhang undercard: Complete list of fights before main event in 2023 boxing match image

The path to a world title opportunity takes a pitstop inside the Copper Box Arena in London as Joe Joyce and Zhilei Zhang face off in heavyweight action on April 15. 

The fight, and prelim action, will be broadcast on ESPN+ in the U.S. and BT Sport in the U.K. 

Zhang’s only loss was in his last fight, to Croatian Filip Hrgovic, who he dropped early in the bout. "Big Bang" has won 24 fights, 19 of them via knockout. And he fully believes he can take down Joyce, a man considered an immovable object. 

“Everybody calls him a 'Juggernaut' for a reason; he does look like one,” Zhang said to Bad Left Hook. “He’s very well conditioned, can take a punch, and has an iron chin. All these things are very impressive.

"He’s never fought anyone like me. I have the power to hurt him, and he’ll feel this. If he is a 'Juggernaut,' then I am armor-piercing.”

MORE: Sign up to watch Joe Joyce vs. Zhilei Zhang, exclusively on ESPN+ 

Joyce beat Dubois in 2020 for the British, Commonwealth, and European heavyweight titles. The 37-year-old also defeated former champion Joseph Parker in September 2022 to win the interim WBO heavyweight belt.

He is ready for the likes of Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, and Anthony Joshua, but even as the heavy favorite in this bout, Joyce isn't taking Zhank lightly. 

Outside the main event, Mikaela Mayer returns to action, ready to compete for more gold in a new division. Rookies and veterans also compete in the card. 

Here is a look at the entire main card of Joyce vs. Zhang.

Joe Joyce vs. Zhilei Zhang undercard

 Mikaela Mayer vs. Lucy Wildheart 

  • Division/Weight: Lightweight
  • Mayer record: 17-1
  • Wildheart record: 10-1
  • Belts at stake: Interim WBC lightweight title

The co-main event will see former super featherweight champion Mikaela Mayer face Lucy Wildheart for the interim WBC lightweight title. The winner will become a mandatory challenger for undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor. Wildheart replaces Christina Linardatou, who wasn't allowed a license by the British Boxing Board of Control due to a recent eye exam. 

A member of the 2016 Olympics, Mayer (17-1) turned pro in 2017 and beat Ewa Brodnicka in 2020 for the WBO super featherweight title. Mayer then unified IBF and Ring Magazine belts by defeating Maiva Hamadouche in a classic for the IBF and The Ring belts but dropped a close decision to WBC counterpart Alycia Baumgardner in a unification bout in October.

While there is potential for a rematch with Baumgardner, Mayer is focused on a new division.

MORE: Expert picks for Joe Joyce vs. Zhilei Zhang

"I didn't want to take a step back in any way, so I told my team that I wanted to take on a top contender, and I think it's kind of fun to take on someone like Linardatou, who did beat Baumgardner," Mayer told Sky Sports. "She is a top contender. She's only lost to Delfine Persoon and Katie Taylor… Coming to 135 pounds, my goal was to go for the champion. Whatever division I'm in, the goal is to go for the champion. I'm really excited that winning this fight will put me back in position for a world title.”

Wildheart (10-1) turned pro in 2017. The Swedish fighter lost to Estelle Mossely in 2019 for lightweight gold, and has won five in a row since. Her last bout was a points win against Klaudia Ferenczi in October. 


Sam Noakes vs. Karthik Sathish Kumar 

  • Division/Weight: Lightweight
  • Noakes record: 10-0
  • Kumar record: 10-0
  • Belts at stake: Commonwealth lightweight title

Sam Noakes faces Karthik Sathish Kumar for regional gold. Noakes (10-0) turned pro in 2019 and has won all his bouts via knockout. In his last fight, in November, he beat Calvin McCord via TKO for the Commonwealth lightweight title. 

Kumar (10-0) turned pro in 2019 and has won four bouts via knockout. His last fight was in March, when he stopped Meechaiya Kaiwiset.

MORE: Three fights block Joyce's road to world title shot vs. Usyk


Denzel Bentley vs. Kieran Smith

  • Division/Weight: Middleweight
  • Bentley record: 17-2-1
  • Smith record: 18-1
  • Belts at stake: British middleweight title

Denzel Bentley and Kieran Smith face off in middleweight action. Bentley (17-2-1) made his pro debut in 2017. A British middleweight champion, Bentley initially lost the belt against Felix Cash in 2021. He regained it by defeating Linus Udofia in 2022. Bentley's last fight was in November, when he lost to Zhanibek Alimkhanuly for the WBO middleweight title.

Smith (18-1) turned pro in 2015 and had his 16-fight win streak snapped in 2021 by Troy Williamson. "Chopper" rebounded by winning two in a row, his last bout a points decision win over James McCarthy. 


Moses Itauma vs. Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko

  • Division/Weight: Heavyweight
  • Itauma record: 2-0
  • Dovbyshchenko record: 9-12-1
  • Belts at stake: N/A

The young Moses Itauma faces Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko. Itauma (2-0) turned pro in January and last fought in March, winning both of his fights via knockout. Dovbyshchenko (9-12-1) turned pro in 2015. The Ukrainian is 2-3 in his last five bouts and is on a three-fight losing streak. His last bout was a unanimous decision loss to Jose Larduet in February. 

MORE: Amir Khan drugs ban, explained


When is Joe Joyce vs. Zhilei Zhang?

  • Date: Saturday, April 15 | Sunday, April 16
  • Start time:  3 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. GMT | 6 a.m. AEDT
  • Main event: 6 p.m. ET | 10 p.m. GMT | 9 a.m. AEDT (approx.)

 

Joyce vs. Zhang takes place on April 15. The main card starts at 3 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. GMT | 6 a.m. AEDT. The main event fighters should make their way to the ring around 6 p.m. ET | 10 p.m. GMT | 9 a.m. AEDT, depending on how long the undercard fights last. 

How to watch Joe Joyce vs. Zhilei Zhang

Country Date Channel + Live Stream (main card)
United States Sat. April 15 ESPN+
United Kingdom Sat. April 15 BT Sport
Australia Sun. April 16 Main Event on Kayo

In The U.S., Joyce vs. Zhang will air on ESPN+. 

MORE: Sign up to watch Joe Joyce vs. Zhilei Zhang, exclusively on ESPN+

In the U.K., the fight will air on BT Sport. 

Joe Joyce vs. Zhilei Zhang price: How much does the card cost?

You can pay $9.99 for a monthly subscription to ESPN+ or buy an annual subscription for $99.99.

Product Prices
ESPN+ Monthly Subscription $9.99/month
ESPN+ Annual Subscription $99.99/year
The Disney Bundle w/Hulu Ad-Supported $13.99/month
The Disney Bundle w/Hulu No-Ads $19.99/month

Daniel Yanofsky