Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce first collided in mid-April at the Copper Box Arena, where it was Zhang who left the venue in possession of the WBO Interim heavyweight world championship strap.
Referee Howard Foster stopped the fight in the sixth round due to the heavy swelling around the right eye of defending champion Joyce.
The Chinese hero Zhang lived up to his stage name - 'Big Bang' - in Stratford, ending the unbeaten professional record of the fellow Olympic silver medallist.
New York-based Zhang turned in a career-best performance in London to elevate himself into challenging the elite band of heavyweights, but first he must once again repel the powerful advances of Joyce, who will be determined to regain his lost property and place himself back at the top of the WBO rankings.
“I created history last time,” said Zhang. “And I believe the best way to inherit history is to create new ones. I look at the rematch as if it was a new fight; I look at Joe Joyce as if I never fought him before. I started from zero and this is the new self.”
“I’m coming back to take back what’s mine,” declared Joyce. “September 23rd I am leaving everything in that ring. No compromises. No underestimating my opponent. Nothing but a win.
“Last time out I lost my undefeated professional record. It was hard to take. But after the dust settled, all that will do is make me better. I’ve learned lessons. I’m ready. And I am coming for everything.”
“This is a fight with high stakes written all over it,” stated promoter Frank Warren. “The first fight in April was the best heavyweight fight made this year and I am expecting more of the same at the OVO Arena on September 23.”