Joe Joyce's Career at Crossroads After Gritty Defeat to Filip Hrgovic in Manchester Showdown
British heavyweight Joe Joyce faces uncertainty after a unanimous decision loss to Croatia's Filip Hrgovic in Manchester, marking his fourth defeat in five fights. Promoter Frank Warren urges reflection as rising stars shine on undercard.
Joe Joyce's Uncertain Future After Hrgovic Defeat
Image: Getty Images - The pivotal moment from Joyce vs Hrgovic bout
British heavyweight Joe Joyce (16-4) suffered a decisive unanimous decision loss to Olympic bronze medalist Filip Hrgovic (18-1) in a grueling 10-round battle at Manchester's Co-op Live Arena. Judges scored the April 6th main event 98-92, 96-95, and 97-93 for the Croatian contender, leaving the 39-year-old Londoner's career in limbo.
Fight Breakdown
- Hrgovic dominated center ring early with precise jab combinations
- Joyce showed resilience after 2nd-round head clash opened cut above Hrgovic's eye
- Croatian's superior stamina proved decisive in championship rounds
- CompuBox stats: Hrgovic landed 38% power punches vs Joyce's 29%
"Are you not entertained?" - Joyce quipped to DAZN post-fight, referencing his crowd-pleasing style despite the loss.
Promoter Frank Warren urged caution: "Joe needs a real serious think. He's been a warrior for British boxing, but Father Time is undefeated."
Undercard Highlights
-
Delicious Orie (1-0) debuted with 40-36 points win vs Milos Veletic
- 2022 Commonwealth gold medalist displayed technical footwork
- Failed to secure knockout against defensive Bosnian opponent
-
David Adeleye claimed British heavyweight title controversially
- Sixth-round TKO of Jeamie 'TKV' Tshikeva marred by disputed knockdown
- Reminiscent of Adeleye's 2023 loss to Fabio Wardley
| Career Crossroads Joyce's recent record: | Year | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Zhilei Zhang | 2 Losses | |
| 2023 | Derek Chisora | L (UD) | |
| 2025 | Dillian Whyte | Cancelled |
Analysts suggest potential retirement bout or transition to commentary given Joyce's Olympic pedigree and fan-friendly style.
What's Next?
- Hrgovic eyes WBA title shot against Daniel Dubois rematch
- Orie scheduled for July showcase fight at O2 Arena
- Adeleye's team petitions for BBBofC review of controversial stoppage
Follow BBC Sport for exclusive post-fight analysis and boxing updates.
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