Recently, Chris Eubank Jr faced off against Liam Smith in a match that had a surprise outcome. Predicting the outcome of a rematch following such a result is difficult. In April, Joe Joyce unexpectedly lost to Zhilei Zhang, and just like Eubank, he wasn’t expected to be stopped. Their immediate return is therefore more intriguing than their first encounter. In their first meeting, Joyce, who was the favorite, was attempting to protect his mandatory position with the WBO. However, Zhang made Joyce look beatable and ordinary. Zhang’s left hand, thrown regularly and accurately, proved to be highly effective against Joyce. Joyce’s inability to avoid, block, or counter Zhang’s left hand remains a mystery. In their upcoming rematch, if Zhang is given the time and space to execute his strategy, it’s difficult to envision anything other than another win for the Chinese veteran. Joyce, however, remains confident that the first match was a fluke. Yet, he cannot rely on his right eye being more durable this time or his opponent’s fitness being suspect. The first contest served as a wake-up call for Joyce, as it revealed his vulnerability and susceptibility to hits. Although Joyce has gotten away with it in the past, his ability to take punches defined him. But now, as shown in the last match, those blows caught up with him. A change in approach is necessary for Joyce, but at his age, it may be challenging. Unlike Eubank, who showed what needed improvement in his first fight against Smith, Joyce’s first match against Zhang offers little encouragement for him to build upon. There was no sudden and unexpected end or one punch that changed the course of the bout. Instead, Zhang outperformed Joyce in every aspect, slowly beating him up. However, it’s unlikely that Joyce suddenly became a bad fighter overnight, considering his past victories and accomplishments. Joyce’s eye injury also played a significant role in the outcome of the match. Despite these factors, Zhang’s victory cannot be solely attributed to Joyce’s injury. Zhang, with his precise punches and work to the body, outperformed Joyce. This rematch serves as an opportunity for Zhang to prove himself as an elite heavyweight. However, Joyce now knows what to expect and is likely to perform better than last time. Even if Joyce falls behind in the first half of the fight, there is still plenty of time for him to make a comeback. Additionally, fighting on home soil may work in Joyce’s favor, as Zhang has yet to show his dominance in the later rounds of a tough fight. Therefore, the tentative prediction is for Joyce to win a messy and grueling 12-round fight by decision.
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