Joyce vs Zhang predictions & tips with 22/1 accumulator
Sports Journalist at FST, Gareth qualified as a journalist after graduating from university and spent over a decade as a freelance broadcast journalist, commentator and tipster before joining FST. Now living in Manchester, he is a long suffering Bolton Wanderers fan who also enjoys boxing, the NBA, tennis and rugby league.
Joe Joyce is back in action this weekend as defends the WBO interim heavyweight title against China’s Zhilei Zhang.
Joyce has an unbeaten record with 15 wins (14 KOs) and is returning to the ring for the first time since stopping former WBO champion Joseph Parker in the 11th round in September 2022.
Zhang is coming into the clash on the back of a first defeat as he was beaten on points by Filip Hrgovic last year. The Chinese heavyweight has 24 wins (19KOs), one draw and one loss on his record.
I’ve got a tip for the main event as well as details on how to watch, and a 22/1 accumulator with a pick from the Joyce fight and further selections from the undercard.
Where to watch Joyce vs Zhang
Joyce faces Zhang at the Copper Box Arena in London on Saturday, April 15. The undercard is due to start at 5pm and the main event should start at around 10:30pm.
The fight will be shown on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate, with coverage set to start at 7pm.
Joyce vs Zhang betting offers
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Who is on the Joyce vs Zhang undercard?
- Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang
- Denzel Bentley vs Kieran Smith
- Sam Noakes vs Karthik Sathish Kumar
- Mikaela Mayer vs Christina Linardatou
- Sonny Ali vs Richard Helm
- Eithan James vs. Georgi Velichkov
- Moses Itauma vs Kostiantyn Dovbyshchenko
- Seth Gyimah vs Darryl Sharp
- Joel Kodua vs Dale Arrowsmith
Joyce vs Zhang prediction and fight preview
Joyce will probably feel a little disappointed that he hasn’t managed to secure a world title fight yet, particularly with Daniel Dubois – who he has already beaten in convincing fashion – in talks with Oleksandr Usyk. A win over Zhang would keep him in the mix, however, and a stoppage win would make him even harder to ignore.
Both of these fighters have fairly similar styles as they like to come forward and impose themselves on opponents. China’s ‘Big Bang’ is a southpaw and that does add a bit of uncertainty, but in truth anything other than a Joyce win would register as a massive upset.
The odds reflect this as the 37-year-old is just 1/10 to win, with Zhang rated at 6/1. As such, I’m going to use the method of victory market for the main bet and a Joyce win by KO, TKO or Disqualification at 4/11 looks a strong option.
As mentioned earlier, these fighters have similar approaches but Joyce is bigger and brings far more power to the table. Zhang has never been stopped – but he hasn’t faced anyone with Joyce’s power either and it would be a surprise to see this last the full 12 rounds.
If you’re looking for a bit more value then backing ‘Juggernaut’ to win in rounds 7-12 could be the way to go and is the selection used for the below accumulator to boost the price. Zhang has never been stopped and did manage to go the distance with a big puncher in Hrgovic, while Joyce’s knockouts tend to be as a result of wearing his opponents down rather than explosive one-punch power so he may need to wait until the second half of the fight to claim a stoppage win.
Saturday’s 22/1 Boxing Accumulator Tip
Joe Joyce to win in rounds 7-12
Vs Zhilei Zhang
Denzel Bentley by decision or technical decision
Vs Kieran Smith
Bentley is the heavy favourite in this match-up but Smith has perhaps been underrated and can keep this bout competitive. Bentley has been up against a better standard of opposition and that should give him the edge, but he may well need the judges to claim a victory.
Sam Noakes to win in rounds 1-4
Vs Karthik Sathish Kumar
Sam Noakes has a perfect record with 10 wins and 10 stoppages in as many fights. The 25-year-old has only been taken beyond the fourth round twice, and can secure another early win over India’s Kumar – who is also unbeaten after 10 bouts but will be fighting in Europe for the first time.
Mikaela Mayer by decision or technical decision
Vs Christina Linardatou
Mayer is looking to bounce back after seeing her unbeaten record ended in a huge world title fight with Alycia Baumgardner last time out. The American can get back to winning ways but Christina Linardatou is a tough competitor who has been the full distance with Katie Taylor, so Mayer to win on points looks the best option.
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