JOE JOYCE reacted in hysterical fashion after his upcoming opponent Zhilei Zhang stormed into his gym during an interview.
Briton Joyce, 37, will take on Chinese heavyweight Zhang, 39, at the Copper Box Arena on April 15.
Neither man is particularly known for his trash talking outside of the ring.
But Zhang, nicknamed Big Bang, attempted to whip up a bit of attention on Wednesday when he turned up uninvited to Joyce’s training facility.
Olympic silver medallist Joyce was being interviewed by Queensbury Promotions when Zhang bowled into the room.
A perplexed Joyce looked over and said: “Oh, here he is!”
READ MORE IN BOXING
Zhang then proceeded to rather confrontationally ask the Brit: “Big Bang is here. Are you ready?”
But Joyce did not quite understand the remark as he hilariously responded: “I don’t know what you said, but yeah, let’s go!”
Zhang then awkwardly said: “You’re ready? I’m ready.”
Before Joyce added: “You’re here. You flew over here? And you’re ready for action, yeah?”
Most read in Boxing
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
The pair were then urged to move closer together as they took part in a face-off for the cameras.
Joyce has won all 15 of his professional fights to date – the last of which came against Joseph Parker in September.
And he has his sights firmly set on the winner of the undisputed fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk – which is expected to take place in the first half of 2023.
Meanwhile, Zhang suffered his first pro loss last time out against Filip Hrgovic, losing a close decision on the undercard of Usyk’s win over Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia in August.
Before that, he had won 24 and drawn one of his 25 contests.
And Zhang will be hoping he can spring a surprise on Joyce in what would be a devastating blow to the Brit’s world title ambitions.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
