Zhang Zhilei, the Interim WBO world heavyweight champion, recently voiced surprise at the speed with which Joe Joyce is pursuing a rematch. Joyce had earlier invoked a contractual clause to arrange a second fight.
The accomplished Chinese boxer has encouraged his British rival to refrain from rushing their next encounter in the ring and instead consider taking part in a few intermediary bouts.
"I would have chosen to fight one or two interim fights if I was him. I don’t know why his team is in such a rush to make it happen. I feel like his team made a mistake for the first fight, and now they’re probably going to make the second mistake, and if I beat Joe Joyce again his career’s going to end."
"Their team didn’t do comprehensive homework on what I do; what I am. They need to study me more. That’s the mistake. They underestimated me," Zhilei was quoted saying by Boxing Social.