“The Brit Can Get the Win…”: With Hours Left for the Fight, Eddie Hearn Makes Brutally Honest Prediction for Joe Joyce vs. Zhilei Zhang Rematch

In the boxing sphere, predictions before a big fight are common. Especially when Eddie Hearn speaks, the world listens. His recent musings on the Joe Joyce and Zhilei Zhang rematch are stirring the pot. With the fight just hours away, his words carry weight, not unlike the newfound heft of Joyce. The focus is oddly on Joyce’s physical transformation, a deliberate bulk-up against Zhang’s menacing power. Hearn touched on it, raising eyebrows and questions.

The tactical metamorphosis of Joyce seems a gamble, an anomaly in his career curve. Hearn’s commentary added fuel to the fire, hinting at a brutal collision awaiting the ring. His analysis, candid yet cryptic, opens a panorama of anticipations. Is Joyce’s newfound bulk a boon or bane?

Eddie Hearn expresses surprise over Joe Joyce’s weight gain

The previous face-off between Joe Joyce and Zhilei Zhang left an indelible mark in the boxing realm, with Zhang snatching the victory and halting Joyce’s undefeated run. The night was not without its share of gore, as Joyce’s gruesomely swollen eye bore witness to Zhang’s crushing blows.

Prominent boxing promoter Eddie Hearn couldn’t help but weigh in on the rematch’s nuances. He revealed, “I mean, I was surprised by the weight, but then when you think about it, I guess last time he came in light to try and move. Moving is not his forte. What his forte is, he’s unbelievably strong, and he’s unbelievably tough. Now is he still tough and robust after the damage he’s taken in his career and the damage he took in his last fight?”

The comparison of Joyce’s weight between the two bouts caught Hearn’s eye. “So he’s coming what, 25 pounds heavier than the last fight. Which is nearly 2 stones. He is coming 10 pounds heavier than he is. I mean, I don’t like it, but you know what he’s trying to do. He’s gonna try and bulldoze Zhilei Zhang,” Hearn analyzed.

Hearn on Zhang’s physical condition

The conversation then transitioned to Zhang’s preparation for the fight. Hearn shared, “I spoke to scooter, who’s the S&C coach in New York. Very credible trainer who’s been training Zhang for this fight. And he said Zhilei Zhang is in unbelievable condition, so I’ll be tuning in.”

Despite Hearn’s admiration for Zhang’s form and strategy, his allegiance was clear. “I think it’s a great fight and I really like Zhilei Zhang. But I hope Joe Joyce, obviously the Brit can get the win. I think he’ll get stopped but I also wouldn’t be surprised if he weathered the storm and stopped Zhang late. So really good fight and looking forward to it,” Hearn expressed.

As Hearn’s honest prediction rolls out, it’s impossible not to feel the electric anticipation surging through the boxing community. His breakdown, encapsulating the physical and strategic shifts of the fighters, only intensifies the buzz around what promises to be a riveting rematch.

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This beckons a crucial question that fans and pundits alike might be mulling over: Will Joe Joyce’s added weight and presumed aggressive stance bulldoze Zhilei Zhang, or will Zhang’s impeccable conditioning see him through to another triumphant outing?

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