JOE JOYCE returns to the ring as he tries to piece together a career that was shattered by consecutive defeats to Zhilei Zhang.
After rising to be on the brink of world title contention, back-to-back defeats to Big Bang Zhang has left Joyce in no man’s land.
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The Londoner, 38, next faces Kash Ali in Birmingham hoping to resurrect his career, especially considering the manner of Zhang’s defeat to Joseph Parker on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou.
Ali is also coming off of a loss, having been beaten on points by Bohdan Myronet – he had been on a six-fight winning streak before that stretching back to his controversial disqualification against David Price in March 2019.
Ali lost his boxing licence for six months after biting the midriff of his opponent.
When is Joe Joyce vs Kash Ali?
Joe Joyce vs Kash Ali takes place at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham this weekend.
It is on the undercard of Liam Davies’ clash with Erik Robles Ayala for the vacant world super-bantamweight title.
- The fight takes place on Saturday, March 16.
- The event starts at 7pm with Joyce’s ring walk expected at 8pm UK time.
How can I watch Joe Joyce vs Kash Ali?
The card is being broadcast by TNT Sports 1 in the UK – it will not be a pay-per-view event but customers will need TNT Sports as part of their TV subscription.
Who is on the undercard?
Joe Joyce vs Kash Ali is not the main fight for the event in Birmingham.
In fact, Joyce is near the bottom of the card.
Liam Davies vs Erik Robles Ayala gets top billing, while Nathan Heaney’s defence of his British middleweight title against Brad Pauls is expected to be a cracker.
The full card is as follows:
- Liam Davies vs Erik Robles Ayala (for vacant IBO super-bantamweight title)
- Nathan Heaney vs Brad Bauls (British middleweight title)
- Pierce O’Leary vs Hovhannes Martirosyan
- Zach Parker vs Tyron Zeuge
- Dennis McCann vs Brad Strand
- Eithan James vs Owen Cooper
- Joe Joyce vs Kash Ali
- Ezra Taylor vs Prince Oko Nartey
What’s been said?
In a big interview with SunSport, Joyce revealed he is ready to fight well into his 40s as he chases a shot at world glory.
He said: “It’s all in the past now, you’ve seen what for instance Joseph Parker did, I beat him but he came back and beat Deontay Wilder.
“It shows that he’s young and he’s been in the sport a long time, heavyweight champion, so it just shows it’s not it, it’s not over.
“Even like George Foreman came back when he was what? 46. There’s still plenty of time.”
