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Hrgovic Compounds Joyce’s Misery
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Hrgovic Compounds Joyce’s Misery

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com  |  Last updated Apr 6, 2025 9:33 AM ET

Filip Hrgovic gave Joe Joyce another loss as he secured a unanimous decision win in their heavyweight clash. 

The fight was billed as a career-defining one, with both men having plenty to prove. Joyce only had one win from four, as he was no longer the same fighter who was once the WBO Interim Heavyweight Champion. Meanwhile, Hrgovic’s rise was stopped after he came out second best to Daniel Dubois in his last fight. However, it was Hrgovic who would win the spoils on this occasion.

Hrgovic started the fight well, landing a huge right hand in the first. Joyce was buzzed, reminding everyone that he had hit the canvas in three of his last four fights. However, Hrgovic was also hurt in the first, as he suffered a cut over his left eye. The cut started to pour out with blood as Joyce was finding success with his jab. Hrgovic had also picked up cuts in the Dubois fight, giving Joyce some confidence.

Hrgovic started to slow down in round four. Joyce picked up his work rate as he backed up Hrgovic. The Croatian managed to find a second wind after the halfway point. He landed a series of unanswered punches in the eighth round. Joyce could have been stopped in the ninth, but the Brit held on to make it to the final bell. It was not enough, as Joyce took the win on the scorecards: 98-92, 97-93 and 96-95. Hrgovic called out Dubois for a rematch, while Joyce ruled out suggestions that he would retire. 

Reaction

“This guy beat Dubois and I beat him so I want a rematch with Daniel Dubois. I did really bad in my last fight but congrats to him and he did a great job in his last fight. Of course I want to rematch him one day. “”Thanks to Joe for this opportunity. I came in on short notice, I wasn’t quite ready. I’m really happy to be back and look forward to big fights in the future. This guy is like steel, I couldn’t believe he took all the shots. He’s a tough guy, a beast, very strong,” Hygovic stated 

“Yeah, [I want to continue]….He’s a great fighter, he’s been doing it a long time. We can do it again,” Joyce

“He has got to go and have a really serious think about his future, which is what he will do. He’s been a brilliant servant to British boxing, he is never in a boring fight and is tough as old boots. He did us proud in the Olympic Games, silver medallist and should have had the gold. Let him think about it,” Frank Warren 

Full Card

Filip Hrgovic beat Joe Joyce by unanimous decision after 10 rounds (heavyweights)

David Adeleye stopped Jeamie Tshikeva in round 6 to win the vacant British heavyweight title

Jack Rafferty stopped Cory O’Regan in round 5 to keep his Commonwealth super lightweight title

Delicious Orie won on points after 4 rounds against Milos Veletic (heavyweights)

Khaleel Majid beat Alex Murphy by unanimous decision after 10 rounds (super lightweights)

Royston Barney-Smith won on points over 8 rounds against Cesar Ignacio Paredes (super featherweights)

Mark Chamberlain beat Miguel Angel Scaringi on points after 8 rounds (super lightweights)

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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