With a heavyweight championship opportunity getting closer every day, the unbeaten Joe Joyce will compete in a risky bout against Zhilei Zhang at the Copper Box Arena in London on April 15. The 12-round fight airs on ESPN+ in the U.S. and BT Sport in the U.K.
Despite being an overwhelming favorite, the Brit is refusing to look past his opponent. After all, in the heavyweight division, it only takes one punch to turn things around.
"It's definitely a risky fight," Joyce told Sky Sports. "He's got the power shots to watch out for. I think he'll be dangerous for the early rounds. I'm just in touching distance of the world title, so it's a very big risk to be fighting the likes of Zhang. But I'm also giving value for money, and it keeps me sharp, so when I get that shot I'm ready to take it with both hands.”
MORE: Sign up to watch Joe Joyce vs. Zhilei Zhang, exclusively on ESPN+
The 37-year-old Joyce defeated Daniel Dubois in 2020 for the British, Commonwealth, and European titles. In September 2022, he beat Joseph Parker for the interim WBO heavyweight crown he now holds. However, despite all of that, Dubois, as the WBA's mandatory challenger, is next in line to face Usyk.
Understandably irked by these circumstances, Joyce must focus on Zhang to prove he is the real problem in the heavyweight division.
Zhang, the +550 underdog (per Bet MGM), last fought in August, losing to Filip Hrgovic, which was a questionable result. With 19 wins via knockout, "Big Bang" is ready to defy the literal and figurative odds.
“I think it’s going to be a hard fight, a tough fight,” acknowledged Zhang in an interview with Boxing Social. “We’re going to meet in the centre of the ring and, of course, exchange bombs. A lot of people think that Joe Joyce has a great chin, he has great stamina, and he can punch. So, we’ll see. It’s going to be exciting.”
Here is all you need to know about Joyce vs. Zhang, from the time, channel, and card.
What time is Joe Joyce vs. Zhilei Zhang today?
- 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.
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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+.
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 |
MORE: Sign up to watch Joe Joyce vs. Zhilei Zhang, exclusively on ESPN+
Joe Joyce vs. Zhilei Zhang fight card
- Joe Joyce (c) vs. Zhilei Zhang for the interim WBO heavyweight title
- Mikaela Mayer vs. Lucy Wildheart; Lightweights
- Denzel Bentley vs. Kieran Smith; Middleweights
- Sam Noakes vs. Karthik Kumar; Lightweights
- Moses Itauma vs. Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko