Heavyweight contender Filip Hrgovic (17-1, 14 KOs) will step in as the replacement opponent for Joe Joyce (16-3, 15 KOs) to fight on April 5th at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England.
The 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Hrgovic is coming off an eighth round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois on June 1st in Riyadh. Hrgovic landed some huge right-hand bombs in the first five rounds of that fight, but Dubois walked through them and wore him down with his hard shots.
A Nightmarish Matchup
Joyce’s best chance of winning on April 5th is if Hrgovic’s punch resistance has taken a hit from his loss to Dubois. If so, he’s got a chance. I don’t see it happening. Poor Joe. This is a nightmarish replacement for Joyce because Hrgovic is leagues above him in talent-wise at this stage of his career. Joe has lost three out of his last four fights and was beaten by 40-year-old Derek Chisora by a 10 round unanimous decision in his previous fight on July 27, 2024.
Chisora dropped Joyce in the seventh round, and landed power shots at will. That fight showed how much Joyce has lost from his game since his two knockout losses to Zhilei Zhang. Hrgovic would wipe the deck with a slow punching bag like Chisora. That would be too easy. of course, Derek would never fight him because, unlike Joyce and Otto Wallin, Hrgovic is still fighting at a high level, and can punch.
Hrgovic, 32, is the sub to replace injured Dillian Whyte, who pulled out of the contest with a hand ailment. It’s unclear if Dillian got a doctor’s note to verify the injury and if x-rays were shown.
The Amateur Past
Joyce beat Hrgovic by a five-round split decision on February 7, 2013, in the World Series of Boxing, many years ago in the amateurs. A lot has changed since then. ‘The Juggernaut’ Joyce is a lot older—39—slower, and worn down from the fighter who beat Hrgovic 12 years ago.
HRGOVIC IN LINE TO FACE JOYCE ON APRIL 5TH ‼️@Filip_Hrgovic is reportedly set to replace Dillian Whyte and face @JoeJoyceBoxing on April 5th in Manchester.
Joyce beat Hrgovic in the amateurs back in 2013.
Would you like to see that fight? 🤔#JoyceHrgovic |… pic.twitter.com/9mMdgA67hL
— IFL TV (@IFLTV) March 5, 2025
Last Updated on 03/05/2025
