By: Sean Crose
British heavyweight Joe Joyce now has a chance to avenge the loss he suffered to Zhilei Zhang this past spring. Because, this September, the heavyweights will face Zhang again, this time at OVO Arena Wembley. Without a doubt, this fight means a lot to Joyce, who was hailed as one of the best in the business before the talented Zhang gave his voice in the wheel of hype. In other words, Joyce is in a MUST win situation. Enter a Tyson Fury, WBC and linear heavyweight champion of the world.
“Joe, I see you’re going to have a fight with Zhang again,” Fury posted on social media on Friday. “If you want a real duel from someone who is bigger, fatter, faster, harder – everything than Zhang, come see Morecambe and fight me.” It was an offer, one that could prove to be in Joyce’s favor. Like Zhang, Fury is a massive heavyweight, plus Fury is, until proven to the contrary, the best in the division. “It can only improve,” Fury continued. “It will make it better. And trust me on this one, I have a secret for you and I know how to beat Zhang. Chop him down like an old oak tree.”
The question now is whether Joyce will go ahead and act on Fury’s suggestion. “There’s an offer, Joe,” Fury said. “Go down to Morecambe and play as many rounds as you want with me. Up there! Can’t say anything better than that.” It should be noted that Fury himself hasn’t fought in quite some time, although he did tease that an important announcement is underway. He’s been attracting the attention of mixed martial artists lately who want a chance to fight the heavyweight king for some money.
All things considered, Fury and Joyce scrim sessions can be good for both fighters. Then again, Fury may have contacted Joyce privately. Furthermore, one never knows how things will turn out until things really start to work out. However, in the end, Zhang-Joyce 2 will also be an interesting fight. Plus, there’s never a dull moment with Fury. “I’m not going to charge you much,” Fury joked when he offered Joyce, “just $100k a round.” Again, never a dull moment.
