SCHEDULE: JOE JOYCE BATTLES ZHANG ZHILEI; MIKAELA MAYER MAKES LIGHTWEIGHT DEBUT & MORE

By: Jay Calderon‍

On Friday at the Coliseo de Combates in Panama City, Panama, and live on ESPN, Damian Rodriguez will battle Derrieck (huh?) Cuevas in Jr. Middleweight action.

Rodriguez is on a two fight win streak since his only loss as a professional, a unanimous decision defeat to Charlie Navarro back in 2018. Most recently, Rodriguez, 13-1 with 7KOs, stopped fellow Rodriguez in Omir Rodriguez in the fifth round way back in 2020. This will be his comeback fight after a rather long layoff.

Cuevas has been similarly inactive, having only fought once since 2020, which was a stoppage win over Esneiker Correa in December. Cuevas holds a record of 24-1-1 with 16KOs.

On Saturday, Heavyweight contender Joe Joyce will take on fellow Olympian Zhang Zhilei at the Copper Box Arena in London, England, and live on BT Sport (UK) and ESPN (USA).

Joyce has been on a tear, compiling a record of 15-0 with 14 KOs as a professional. In his most recent performance back in September, Joyce stopped former world titlist Joseph Parker in the eleventh round of action.

Zhilei, though talented, has had mixed results as of late. While he has perhaps performed as best as any other period whole a pro, he is coming off the back of his lone defeat. Back in August of last year, Zhilei, 24-1-1 with 19KOs, lost a close decision to Filip Hrgovic.

To check out my Prediction for Joyce vs. Zhilei, click here.

In the co-featured bout of the evening, former titlist Mikaela Mayer will make her official Lightweight debut (though, she's fought at a weight higher than 130 pounds several times), taking on Christina Linardatou.

Mayer is coming into the contest off the back of her only loss as a professional. Back in October, Mayer lost a unification bout with bitter rival Alycia Baumgardner via split decision at 130. Now, Mayer, 17-1 with 5KOs, will look for success in a new weight class.

Linardatou, 14-2 with 6 KOs, has won two straight since her last defeat, a decision loss to world champion Katie Taylor back in 2019. Former titlist Linardatou last competed in July, earning a decision over Aleksandra Vujovic.

To check out the rest of the schedule, including betting odds, click here.

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