In heavyweight boxing news, Joe Joyce is intent on beating  Zhilei Zhang, so that he can target a world title shot against Oleksandr Usyk. 

The ‘Juggernaut’ takes on Zhang in a rematch of their first encounter, which resulted in the Brit being stopped in the sixth round. In the aftermath, Joyce admitted that he may underestimated his opponent.

As a result, changes have been made for the rematch. During the final weigh in, Joyce arrived at a career high weight of 281.2 pounds.

It is hoped that the extra mass will allow Joyce to have more pop on his punches and allow the fighter to be more durable, both qualities which were absent during his loss. And yet, Zhang also arrived at a career-high weight of 287 pounds.

And with so much at stake, both fighters were looking to get an edge. But for Joyce, the heavyweight knew that his time for a world title was limited due to his age. After all, the boxer is 38 and not getting any younger. 

Joyce On Usyk

"I’m hopeful, once I get the title back, that it will be Usyk next. But the way heavyweight boxing is right now, I’m not 100 per cent sure. Definitely getting the title back will put me in good stead, and it then becomes a more likely scenario to fight Usyk," Joyce said 

Meanwhile, Joyce also questioned Daniel Dubois’ performance against Usyk. The Brit had the chance to become the unified heavyweight champion of the world, only to be stopped in the ninth round.

However, during the fifth round, the boxer did put Usyk on the canvas with a body shot. And yet, it was declared a low blow. This allowed the Ukrainian to recover as he walked away with a victory.

However, the fact that Dubois was counted out suggested that he may have quit during the fight. This was the same accusation made against him when he took a knee against Joyce, despite his vision problems, on his way to a loss. And now Joyce has had his say on the matter. 

Joyce On Dubois

"I think he could’ve got up, but maybe it’s inexperience and he wasn’t ready for that level of contest. He could’ve like took the eight count and got up on eight, instead of waiting until nine, 10. That was his mistake, but I don’t know. It’s difficult to call. But he’s young and I think in the camp with [new trainer] Don Charles, I thought he looked good. He looked like he’s made some improvements and stuff, his speed and his techniques and stuff. But yeah, again, he took a knee, didn’t he, after a jab," Joyce stated

Joyce, though, is well aware of what it takes to be stopped after having seen his own eye swell up during his loss to Zhang. Despite that being the case, the boxer showed a willingness to carry on.

After all, it was due to the medical officials who were there that the fight was called off. So this time around, it is something that Joyce will have to be wary of.