Zhilei Zhang ripped up the script to produce one of the heavyweight division’s biggest results in years, beating Joe Joyce inside the distance in front of a stunned London crowd.

In fact, Zhang didn’t rip up the script, he pummelled it into submission. Simply unable to miss with his heavy left hand, it was the right eye of Joyce that was eventually his undoing.

Talking of undoing, I’m sure Joyce wishes he could have undone his eye. It was, come the finish, closed to the point of sightlessness. Here is how it all unfolded.

It was a well-recognised opinion that Zhang had perhaps a two or three-round window to get his work done - hence the quick start. What he threw in round one, he landed, and the notoriously slow starter in Joyce was behind.

In round two came something we had never seen before. The previously unshaken Joyce was shaken to the core as he ate a left hand that had him dancing. He did regain composure, but looked vulnerable as Zhang went on the assault.

Rounds three and four came and went, and still Zhang was landing at will. Some head movement would have come in handy, but this is Joe Joyce we are talking about. Ditch the logic, it’s the Juggernaut way or no way.

But as time was ticking, the eye was further closing.

Joyce began the fifth by firing with intent, conceivably aware that the problem forming over his right eye could be a costly one. As time rolled around for the sixth, it was.

It took two viewings from the ringside doctor, with the second bringing the curtain down on a devastating evening for Joyce. Zhilei Zhang had pulled off a mega win on away territory.

A win that has leapfrogged him above Joyce in the queue for a shot at Oleksandr Usyk’s world titles. Arguably a place he should have been after August’s battle with Filip Hrgovic in the desert.

With that considered, it is hard not to let out a little smile for Zhang.

For Joyce, it is setback number one of a journey that has otherwise steered a steady course. Now, only he can determine just how damaging this defeat proves long term.

Personally, I’m not a fan of throwing about the word ‘exposed’ when it comes to a defeat. Fighters can lose without needing their whole make-up dissected.

But, when your undoing comes from what is considered your golden strength, there will no doubt be concern. Given enough opportunity, even granite can be broken.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and it will tell Joyce and his team that if approached correctly, Zhang is a winnable fight. Whether it is a fight that Joyce takes next is yet to be seen.

One thing for certain is that China have finally entered the party. There are 1.4 billion people untouched to the world of boxing, and their new superstar could well be the man to turn the nation into fight fanatics.

Especially when he’ll bang anything.

Oscar Bevis