In his first bout since being knocked out by Zhilei Zhang, Joe Joyce struggled but ultimately secured a much-needed victory over Kash Ali.
The 2016 Olympic medallist was expected to dominate the undercard bout in Birmingham, but he faced resistance from Ali, who held his ground despite Joyce’s efforts to land a decisive blow. As the fight progressed, Joyce gained confidence, eventually wearing down Ali and securing a 10th-round knockout with a short right hand that sent Ali to the canvas just before the final bell.
Despite being the clear underdog, Ali put up a commendable fight, absorbing some heavy blows from Joyce while landing a few of his own. Joyce, still recovering from his previous knockout losses, showed resilience as he shrugged off Ali’s attacks.
The fight, labeled a “fork in the road” for Joyce’s career, highlighted his determination to bounce back from adversity, even as doubts lingered about his performance and potential title contention.
Despite his victory, Joyce’s performance left room for criticism, with observers noting his lack of energy and forward momentum throughout the fight. While he managed to secure rounds, he failed to fully dispel doubts about his abilities, despite the dramatic knockout victory in the final moments of the bout.
