Briton Joe Joyce says losing his heavyweight rematch against Zhilei Zhang is “not the end of the world” and has ruled out retirement.
The 38-year-old walked on to a powerful right hook in the third round on Saturday to suffer a second consecutive stoppage loss to China’s Zhang.
Zhang, 40, retained the WBO ‘interim’ belt and a potential world-title shot.
“I’m going to [take] a bit of time… reflect and review where I went wrong,” Joyce told BBC Sport post-fight.
Asked if he may consider hanging up the gloves, Joyce – battered and bruised backstage at Wembley’s OVO Arena but still willing to speak – replied without hesitation: “No chance.
“I’m feeling good, I’m feeling OK. It’s not the end of the world. I can rebuild and come back.”