Joe Joyce suffered a second straight loss to Zhilei Zhang on Saturday, as the Chinese heavyweight stopped the Briton once again.

Joyce looked tentative throughout the first three rounds, hesitant to engage and troubled by Zhang’s output. Then, in the final seconds of Round 3, Zhang landed a clean left cross and devastating right hook, dropping Joyce heavily.

It was the first time in the Briton’s career that he had hit the canvas, and he narrowly failed to beat the referee’s count after the bell sounded.

With the result, Zhang retained the WBO interim title that he took from Joyce in April, meaning a clash with official champion Oleksandr Usyk may be next for “Big Bang”.

Meanwhile, there will be questions over Joyce’s place at the top level after back-to-back stoppage losses. At the very least, the 38-year-old faces a tough route back towards a world-title fight, without much time to secure one.

Joe Joyce has spoken about his loss to Zhilei Zhang, insisting that this is not the end for him:

And what next for Joyce? Is that the end for him at the top level?

Who’s next for Zhang? He’s WBO interim champion; will he take on official champion Oleksandr Usyk in 2024?

Zhilei Zhang def. Joe Joyce via third-round KO (3:07).

Before tonight, Joyce had never been knocked down in his pro career.

What a shot from Zhang. A clean right hook, after a left cross down the pipe.

Joyce is now on his feet thankfully.