JOE JOYCE saw his fight with Zhilei Zhang waved off after the ringside doctor deemed him unable to continue.
The heavyweight’s world title dreams have been hugely dented after his right eye was left gruesomely swollen.
Referee Howard Foster twice took Joyce, 37, over to the doc, who assessed the damage and extent of the injury.
On the second occasion, cameras caught the moment the medic covered Joyce’s left eye and asked how many fingers he was holding up.
The Londoner did return the correct answers – in two and one – but the damage was already done.
Foster was advised to wave off the fight and Zhang, 39, was handed a shock technical knockout win after six rounds.
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It saw Joyce lose his WBO mandatory title shot and interim belt, which guaranteed him a crack at Oleksandr Usyk’s belt.
He said after defeat: “I’m just disappointed with my performance.
“The right hand he just kept hitting me with, I just couldn’t get out of the way so respect for Zhilei Zhang big bang.
“I twas a good fight, I could have done better because I haven’t fought a southpaw for so long but credit to him because he’s a good fighter.
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“I gave it my all, I think I could do better but it’s just disappointing. I expected to win like I normally do but thanks to all the support and congratulations.”
Joyce has a rematch clause and the possibility of a second fight in China has been mooted for Zhang, who pulled off the upset.
Zhang said: “Today belongs to me. It belongs to everyone who showed up, belongs to every Chinese that showed up.
“Im 39 years old but I’m disciplined, I train hard. Next step I’m gong for the title.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
