Joe Joyce vs Kash Ali LIVE RESULTS: Juggernaut secures stoppage WIN with huge KO blow in final 18 seconds – reaction

Fight report from SunSport's Wally Downes Jr

Joe Joyce's big comeback ended with a knockout as he avoided a massive disappointment.

After punishing back-to-back losses to Zhilei Zhang, the 38-year-old Putney man returned to the ring at a career heaviest of 20st 6lbs.

And the 10 rounds he almost completed - before landing a last-gasp knockout of Kash Ali - were a heavy burden on boxing fans.

Ali threw a few wild haymakers in the opener, launched from his boxing boots in Birmingham and landing over in Solihull.

Joyce was far more measured and tried to break his 34-year-old opponent down by switching between his shaved head and body.

Joyce’s chin did get a tickle in the second, when he backed Ali into a corner and he lashed out and clipped him.

Thankfully that counterpunch and a follow-up blow bounced right off the 2016 Olympic silver winner.

Ali was negative and complaining about rabbit punches, making it hard for Joyce to find his rhythm in the first few rounds.

Joyce’s range was still miles off by the third round, the 20st Juggernaut slashed at thin air too many times and made Kash Ali look like Muhammad.

And round four was another worrying sign that Joyce might be in the decline after he was clipped by a right and a left from the unfancied opponent.

The middle rounds dragged on and sucked the atmosphere out of the Birmingham arena.

Thankfully Joyce livened up for the seventh and chased Ali around the ring trying to scythe at him.

In the break before the ninth, Ali’s trainer - 44-year-old former pro Richard Towers - said “I could f***ing beat him now but you are p***ing around."

And it was a very fair assessment.

Ali was hurt in round nine and it looked like it would be stopped as he had run out of ideas, energy and interest.

After another mouthful from Towers in the final break, Ali did hurl a few right hands and a left hook that landed.

But then he was knocked down and out with a few seconds remaining.

Was a Joyce to watch

Joe Joyce left it late but he got the job done and that's all that matters

Joyce vs Ali R9

Joe Joyce continues to pile on the pressure in round nine as we have now seen a bit of blood in the ring.

Juggernaut senses the victory while Kash Ali is literally holding on.

Lets see if Joyce can get the big shot in the final round!

Joyce vs Ali R8

Juggernaut is picking up momentum and pushing Ali into all four corners of the ring.

Joyce is sensing that Ali is slowly beginning to drop his guard and that is what helped him land a few more punches in round 8.

Two more rounds to go!

Joyce vs Ali R7

BIG ROUND FOR JOYCE!

Juggernaut hit a big upper body shot on Ali in what has been the best round of the match so far.

Three left to go!

Joyce vs Ali R6

It's quite a snore fest in truth at this point - neither boxer really going for it.

Joyce is trying to throw more punches but nothing is sticking.

Joyce vs Ali R5

Another lacklustre round has gone by and its not pretty, but Joyce is getting the job done.

It's all about the win for the Juggernaut after losing consecutive fights to Zhang.

But he'll be determined to land a big right hand and convincingly beat the man who bit David Price.

Joyce vs Ali R4

It's all Joyce but in all honesty, the Juggernaut has not had to do much.

You can probably count on one hand the amount of punches Ali has thrown in round four.

Joyce can afford to keep doing what he's doing and he'll win on points.

Joyce vs Ali R3

That's better from Joyce!

Juggernaut has finally landed some clean right hooks on Ali forcing Ali to run around the ring.

But if it carries on, this one is going all the way to the bitter end unless a KO comes out of nowhere.

Joyce vs Ali R2

Round two has been similar to the first round with both boxers saving fuel in the tank for later on.

Once again Joyce tried to connect some punches, but it's just not happening at the moment.

Cautious is how I would describe this one.

Joyce vs Ali R1

Both boxers are just feeling each other out - not going all guns blazing early doors.

Joyce has thrown a few wayward punches that have failed to connect.

While Ali is being tentative and not really letting his hands go just yet.

Joyce vs Ali R1

HERE WE GO!

Joe Joyce looks to revive his career in Birmingham against Kash Ali.

And the crowd are pumped for this huge British brawl.

Parker wins UD

Dull affair as Zeuge only turned up for a payday.

Parker was down early but Zeuge never seemed bothered after that.

The judges called it: 96-94, 97-92 and 98-91.

Don't rush back Zeuge.

Parker vs Zeuge R10

Parker seems to have suffered an injury to his ankle or knee, he is wobbly but very close to victory.

Errol Johnson tells Parker to box smart and get to the scorecards.

Zeuge is slinging the kitchen sink at the Derby fan.

But Parker is wisely jabbing and holding until the final bell secures him a win

Parker vs Zeuge R9

Parker lands a rifle of a right hand but Zeuge is a brickwall of a man.

It must be 8-1 now and the ref asks for no roughhouse tactics in the last couple after Zeuge complains.

This is Zeuge's first fight out of Germany and he will be keen to get back after this showing.

Another Parker right hand scores but Zeuge is rock solid.

Parker vs Zeuge R7

"He's f***ed now", Parker's trainer Errol Johnson says about Zeuge.

Assistant Paul Mann orders their charge to get the job over with.

Zeuge is only throwing the odd haymaker, his only hope is a hail Mary shot.

Parker should have the ability and power to punish that.

Parker vs Zeuge R6

Zeuge never stops giggling, despite Parker hitting him all different ways.

On this form, Parker should be wrapping this up inside the distance.

Zeuge is a glutton for punishment and Parker should take advantage - without getting greedy.

Parker vs Zeuge R4

Zeuge is one paced and head hunting.

Parker is fresher and faster and banking rounds.

Body shots might be the way to break Zeuge down as he looks tough as old boots.

He also laughs and smiles through a lot of the action - oddball.

Parker vs Zeuge R3

Right hooks unravel Parker and leave him with a 10-8 round lost.

The Brit made a solid start but got clipped on the chin and staggered.

Better southpaw work from Parker, lead hooks to the body and riund banked by the Derby man.

Parker down R2

Parker rocked badly.

A whipped right hand stuns him and stiffens his legs.

Zeuge steams in and smothers and then a clubbing blow around the head forces him to take a knee and count.

Parker vs Zeuge R1

Derby super-middle Parker rebuilding after a 2022 loss to John Ryder.

Switching stances and pinging out a fearsome jab, the Brit takes the opener.

But Zeuge will ask him questions later on.

McCann wins UD

The ringside judges call it: 118-111, 116-111 and 116-112,

McCann gets his hand raised and the Lonsdale belt.

Dominant performance from the 23-year-pld prospect.

McCann vs Strand R12

Glad that's over.

Too one sided and McCann seemed to lose interest in the end.

Strand waited too long to let his hands go and his face was already a warzone by the time he got going.

McCann will shortly be crowned the new British super-bantam champ.

McCann vs Strand R11

Strand finally wins a round with a flurry at the end.

Three shots rapidly fired and landed.

But McCann just shakes them off and returns to his corner for a break.

A bit of complacency from the runaway leader.