BIG BANG WITH A BIG STATEMENT

It was a repeat in London as Zhilei Zhang stopped Joe Joyce once again to retain his status as WBO interim world champion. 

It brings to an end a nightmare five months for Joyce, whose place at boxing’s top table has been snatched in the most brutal manner. 

A tentative first round gave indication to Joyce’s plan, but his inability to stick to the specification played right into the hands of Zhang. And threatening hands they are. 

Joyce was wobbled in the second, with Zhang’s left hand unable to miss what was essentially a fixed target. It all felt a little too similar. 

And when things got hotter, Joyce couldn’t help but be tempted by the idea of a shootout. 

It didn’t end well; in fact, it couldn’t have ended much worse. In an attempt to negate Zhang’s left hand, Joyce himself stepped left, leaving way for a callous right hook. 

Joyce slumped to the deck. 

It looked a long way up for all 281 pounds of Joyce, who miraculously rose on the count of 10. It was a second too late. Not that it would have mattered. 

Chinese power had triumphed again, and this time there were no questions unanswered. 

It leaves Joyce in a tough position, and with big decision to make regarding his future. As of now, world level is a million miles away. It may be time to close the curtain. 

At 40, things couldn’t be different for Zhang. 

He’s big, he’s strong, he’s powerful, and he stands the wrong way. The man is an absolute nightmare. He certainly won’t be at the top of many people’s wish lists. 

But what he now is top of, is those in the queue to fight Oleksandr Usyk. 

And that is a fight I can get behind. 

Over in Orlando, it was a tale of two different outcomes for the Brits.

Despite the furore around the return of Conor Benn, it was Sandy Ryan who stole headlines with an almost punch perfect performance in her bid to unify the welterweight division. 

However, judge Mark Streisand’s quite frankly embarrassing 97-93 card in favour of Jessica McCaskill ensured that dream remained firmly in Orlando. 

A 95-95 card, as well as a 96-94 in favour of Ryan, meant that the belts will stay with their champions until what can only be an imperative rematch. 

If it does happen, McCaskill will have to find better ways of navigating through Ryan’s strong defence, whilst also nullifying her clear size advantage. 

Then again even if she doesn’t, I’m sure she can rely on some favourable judging. 

Conor Benn’s return was next, and having given away five inches in height, it was never going to be a walk in the hotel against Mexican Rodolfo Orozco. 

In true Benn style, he loaded up from the first bell until the last. But a remarkable show of toughness and durability from Orozco left Benn chasing the result he was after. 

Even still, 10 rounds were banked, and he and his team can switch their attention to landing the fight that his return craves. 

Anyone for Benn-Eubank?

Oscar Bevis