Joe Joyce cradles a stone lighter for the conflict with Zhilei Zhang as an indication of intent

Joe Joyce confirmed a dramatic weight reduction at Friday’s weigh-in as he tipped the scales a stone lighter than his earlier bout forward of Saturday’s conflict in opposition to Zhilei Zhang at London’s Copper Field Enviornment.

Joyce, a 2016 Olympic silver medalist, weighed in at 256lbs for his heavyweight struggle with the Chinese language southpaw, whereas Zhang weighed in at 278lbs for the bout.

Joyce, who was visibly slimmer when he took the stage, is available in 15 kilos lighter than his struggle with Joseph Parker – after which suggestions the scales at 271.6 kilos, six kilos heavier than his struggle with Christian Hammer earlier than it.

Joyce – who has established himself as a compulsory WBO contender – will look to get one step nearer to a conflict with present champion Oleksandr Usyk by defeating Zhang.

The “Juggernaut” goes into Saturday’s struggle with a file 15 wins and 14 knockouts. Nevertheless, Zhang says Joyce’s file does not scare him forward of this weekend’s struggle.

Joe Joyce (left) fell over a rock throughout Saturday’s duel in opposition to Zhilei Zhang (proper).

Joyce jeopardizes his WBO Interim World Heavyweight Title on the Copper Field Enviornment

“To be the very best, it’s a must to beat the very best,” Zhang advised Sky Sports activities earlier within the week. “It is a part of the dream of turning into a world champion. “I by no means run away from a problem when a possibility presents itself.”

The Chinese language southpaw went on to debate Joyce’s sturdy chin, saying: “I do not assume a fighter’s chin could be arduous sufficient to deal with a superbly timed punch.”

In the meantime, Joyce described his struggle with Zhang as “dangerous” however insisted it was an necessary struggle on his option to securing a heavyweight title struggle in opposition to both Usyk or Tyson Fury later this yr.

The 37-year-old British boxer advised Sky Sports activities: “It is a dangerous struggle but it surely’s thrilling. He is a giant man. However I am a giant man. Two huge guys will collide and will probably be an incredible struggle.

“I might have waited and had a neater struggle, however I used to be like, ‘Why not take a take a look at and keep prepared?’ He is a prime fighter… and that leads me effectively to Usyk or Fury which I am hoping for – presumably a giant summer season struggle.