Latest news with #FilipHrgovic
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
For Joe Joyce, the elephant in the room looms mighty large
Joe Joyce faces some difficult questions after losing to Filip Hrgovic on Saturday in Manchester. (Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images) (Richard Sellers - PA Images via Getty Images) "Are you not entertained?" The question had been bellowed out before by heavyweights Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois, but in those instances the crowd had a unanimous — and positive — answer. This time around, following Joe Joyce's fourth defeat in five outings at the hands of Filip Hrgovic on Saturday night, the near-capacity audience inside Manchester's Co-op Live arena seemed to be taken aback, and responded with a confused murmur. It was as if Joyce (16-4, 15 KOs), now 39, was the last one in the room to notice the elephant standing behind him. An elephant in the shape of retirement. Advertisement It's an awkward conversation in boxing. Few other professions allow such discourse to flourish behind the protagonist's back like it does in the fight game, though it's also rarely done out of disrespect. The heavyweight division is a double-edged sword, deemed the pinnacle of the sport, offering the biggest purses and prizes to those who partake, but as ever, with big reward comes bigger risk. With a seemingly endless pit of money now on offer to those fighters who are able to entertain, the allure to stick around for tomorrow's fight is too tempting to pass up. The thing is, when tomorrow comes, it becomes today. There has been concern around the health of Joyce for a number of years now. The 2016 Olympic silver medalist's speech can often seem slurred and his responses to interviewers' questions slow and confused. He has never been the most charismatic in front of the camera — and that is fine — but his appearances are becoming more and more awkward to the viewer. Advertisement 'That's just how Joe is,' the people in Camp Joyce will caveat as each interview concludes. We have become conditioned and numb to seeing fighters struggle later in life due to punishment handed out to them over bruising careers; chewed up, spat out and often left to pick up their own pieces with limited help. But to be confronted by the apparent struggles of an active athlete forces more imminent questions. While the pundits and casual pint-drinkers down the local pub may feel like we have the answer, ultimately it's the fighter's inner circle and fighter themselves who will have the final say. It may, then, become apparent who has made it into that circle for the right reasons. Joyce's style in the ring doesn't help his cause. Since turning pro in 2017 he has fought like his moniker suggests, a "Juggernaut," walking forward, willing to take six punches in order to land seven. His punches are destructive but easily telegraphed, and the division seems to have collectively worked out what, for a period, remained a secret weapon. Joe Joyce suffered a beating at the hands of Filip Hrgovic on Saturday in Manchester, England. () (Alex Livesey via Getty Images) Less than two years ago, that was his unique selling point. Off the back of wins over Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker, he was considered the boogeyman of the division, being tipped to go on to challenge for the sport's ultimate prize. But then came the brutal back-to-back knockouts at the hands of Zhilei Zhang. The points setback to a 13-loss Derek Chisora. And now Hrgovic, plunging his stocks further. Advertisement Joyce didn't perform terribly in Saturday's unanimous decision loss. Some will argue that the 98-92 card that accompanied the 97-93 and 96-95 offerings was too wide in favor of the more mobile and accurate Croatian Hrgovic, but in a slugfest of that nature, opinions will always be hard to align. But for these conversations to have halted, Joyce needed to win, and win well on Saturday night — which he didn't. Over the days and weeks that follow the hope is that Joyce and team embark on sensible and educated conversations. They are the ones who hold the ultimate power of persuasion, and the former WBO interim heavyweight champion's health cannot be compromised in any possible negotiations. 'We'll all have a chat and we will go from there,' Joyce's promotor, Frank Warren, stated post-fight. It's an encouraging admission. We don't hold any power. Nor should we. But perhaps the muted response to Joyce's question on Saturday will force him to take a peak over his shoulder. Or better yet, turn around.
Forbes
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Joe Joyce Vs. Filip Hrgovic: Full Fight Card Results
Joe Joyce (left) and Filip Hrgovic during the weigh-in at the Co-op Live arena, Manchester. Joe ... More Joyce will face Filip Hrgovic on Saturday at Manchester's Co-op Live arena. Picture date: Friday April 4, 2025. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images) Today, Saturday, April 5, former WBO interim heavyweight champion Joe Joyce faces Filip Hrgovic in a pivotal heavyweight bout at the top of a Queensberry-promoted fight card. The Joyce vs. Hrgovic headlined card takes place at Co-Op Live in Manchester, England. Before the main event, the vacant British heavyweight title is up for grabs, as English heavyweight champion David Adeleye faces Jeamie "TKV" Tshikeva. We have live coverage of tonight's fight card and will update the Joyce vs. Hrgovic card results as they happen. Joe Joyce vs Filip Hrgovic (heavyweight) David Adeleye vs Jeamie Tshikeva (vacant British heavyweight title) Jack Rafferty vs Cory O'Regan (Commonwealth super-lightweight title) Delicious Orie vs Milos Veletic (heavyweight) Khaleel Majid vs Alex Murphy (super-lightweight) Royston Barney-Smith vs TBA (featherweight) Mark Chamberlain vs Miguel Angel Scaringi (super-lightweight) Nelson Birchall vs TBA (welterweight) Ramtin Musah vs Robbie Chapman (light-heavyweight) Louis Szeto vs Nabil Ahmed (super-bantamweight) Alfie Middlemiss vs Alexander Morales (featherweight) Saturday, April 5, 2025 Main Card starts at 2:00 p.m. ET Preliminary Card starts at 11:00 a.m. ET Co-Op Live in Manchester, England Main Card: DAZN Prelims: You Tube DAZN Monthly: $29.99 DAZN Yearly: $19.99 Joyce and Hrgovic are expected to make their ring walks at approximately 5:00 p.m. ET Joe Joyce (left) and Filip Hrgovic during the weigh-in at the Co-op Live arena, Manchester. Joe ... More Joyce will face Filip Hrgovic on Saturday at Manchester's Co-op Live arena. Picture date: Friday April 4, 2025. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images) The 39-year-old Joyce (16-3 with 15 knockouts) was initially booked to face former WBC heavyweight champion Dillian Whyte on the April 5 card. However, that fight fell apart in early March, when a hand injury forced Whyte from the card. Not long after, the 32-year-old Hrgovic (17-1 with 14 knockouts) was named as a replacement opponent for Joyce. "It's a tough fight for both of them," promoter Frank Warren told Ring Magazine at the time "It's exactly the same as the fight he had before, Joe, against Dillian. The winner goes on, the loser is going to have to think about what he does. "Every fight he [Joyce] has is a risky fight. But if he wants to get back into it, he's got to come back with a win against a real good, credible opponent." Jaron Ennis Vs. Eimantas Stanionis Opening Betting Odds When the betting odds were announced for this heavyweight scrap, Joyce was a +245 underdog to Hrgovic, who came in as the -340 betting favorite. Today, Joyce is listed at +260, while Hrgovic comes in at -450. Filip Hrgovic during the weigh-in at the Co-op Live arena, Manchester. Joe Joyce will face Filip ... More Hrgovic on Saturday at Manchester's Co-op Live arena. Picture date: Friday April 4, 2025. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images) Joyce is currently unranked by the IBF, WBO, WBC, or WBO. Meanwhile, Hrgovic is ranked No. 6 by the IBF, No. 7 by the WBA, and No. 9 by the WBC. Record: 16-3 with 15 knockouts Age: 39 Height: 6'6" Reach: 80" Weight: 275.1 pounds Stance: Orthodox Trainer: Steve Broughton Record: 17-1 with 14 knockouts Age: 32 Height: 6'6" Reach: 82" Weight: 250.6 pounds Stance: Orthodox Trainer: Ronnie Shields MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Joe Joyce speaks to the media during the Joe Joyce v Filip Hrgovic ... More Press Conference at Co-op Live on April 03, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ben) 'It's a good fight, good good to share the ring with Hrgovic again, we had a good scrap last time like 12 years ago," said Joyce via Bad Left Hook. The same result is going to happen, I'm going to win, and then get elevated back up to the top of the sport.' 'I know exactly what to expect and I've fought him before and I've trained with Abel before so I know what to been in the sport a long time, he's had a lot of hard fights, but I think it's going to be a great fight and I look forward to knocking him out on Saturday night.' MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Filip Hrgovic looks on during the Joe Joyce v Filip Hrgovic Press ... More Conference at Co-op Live on April 03, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ben) 'Man, he's 40 years definitely not in the peak of his career. Fighters getting older and that's just reality and I'm seven years younger and I think it's going to play a role in this fight.' 'Man, if this guy knocks me out — he's slow like a fog, man. So I don't know how he going to knock me next nickname can be Joe 'Fog' Joyce. He's very slow, I don't know how he's going to knock me out, but look, we'll see on Saturday.' Joyce and Hrgovic had a five-round matchup for the now defunct World Series of Boxing in 2013. Joyce won that fight via split decision. Check back for results, reactions and highlights for the full Joyce vs. Hrgovic fight card as the fights take place.
Forbes
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Joyce Vs. Hrgovic Card: What To Know About Tonight's Boxing Event
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Joe Joyce and Filip Hrgovic face off as they pose for a photo during ... More the Joe Joyce v Filip Hrgovic Press Conference at Co-op Live on April 03, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ben) Tonight, Saturday, April 5, former WBO interim heavyweight champion Joe Joyce matches up with Filip Hrgovic in a pivotal heavyweight bout at the top of a Queensberry-promoted fight card. The Joyce vs. Hrgovic headlined card takes place at Co-Op Live in Manchester, England. Before the main event, the vacant British heavyweight title is up for grabs, as English heavyweight champion David Adeleye faces Jeamie "TKV" Tshikeva. We look at the Joyce vs. Hrgovic card and give you all the information you need about tonight's boxing fight card. Joe Joyce vs Filip Hrgovic (heavyweight) David Adeleye vs Jeamie Tshikeva (vacant British heavyweight title) Jack Rafferty vs Cory O'Regan (Commonwealth super-lightweight title) Delicious Orie vs Milos Veletic (heavyweight) Khaleel Majid vs Alex Murphy (super-lightweight) Royston Barney-Smith vs TBA (featherweight) Mark Chamberlain vs Miguel Angel Scaringi (super-lightweight) Nelson Birchall vs TBA (welterweight) Ramtin Musah vs Robbie Chapman (light-heavyweight) Louis Szeto vs Nabil Ahmed (super-bantamweight) Alfie Middlemiss vs Alexander Morales (featherweight) Saturday, April 5, 2025 Main Card starts at 2:00 p.m. ET Preliminary Card starts at 11:00 a.m. ET Co-Op Live in Manchester, England Main Card: DAZN Prelims: You Tube DAZN Monthly: $29.99 DAZN Yearly: $19.99 Joyce and Hrgovic are expected to make their ring walks at approximately 5:00 p.m. ET Joe Joyce (left) and Filip Hrgovic during the weigh-in at the Co-op Live arena, Manchester. Joe ... More Joyce will face Filip Hrgovic on Saturday at Manchester's Co-op Live arena. Picture date: Friday April 4, 2025. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images) The 39-year-old Joyce (16-3 with 15 knockouts) was initially booked to face former WBC heavyweight champion Dillian Whyte on the April 5 card. However, that fight fell apart in early March, when a hand injury forced Whyte from the card. Not long after, the 32-year-old Hrgovic (17-1 with 14 knockouts) was named as a replacement opponent for Joyce. "It's a tough fight for both of them," promoter Frank Warren told Ring Magazine at the time "It's exactly the same as the fight he had before, Joe, against Dillian. The winner goes on, the loser is going to have to think about what he does. "Every fight he [Joyce] has is a risky fight. But if he wants to get back into it, he's got to come back with a win against a real good, credible opponent." Jaron Ennis Vs. Eimantas Stanionis Opening Betting Odds When the betting odds were announced for this heavyweight scrap, Joyce was a +245 underdog to Hrgovic, who came in as the -340 betting favorite. Today, Joyce is listed at +260, while Hrgovic comes in at -450. Filip Hrgovic during the weigh-in at the Co-op Live arena, Manchester. Joe Joyce will face Filip ... More Hrgovic on Saturday at Manchester's Co-op Live arena. Picture date: Friday April 4, 2025. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images) Joyce is currently unranked by the IBF, WBO, WBC, or WBO. Meanwhile, Hrgovic is ranked No. 6 by the IBF, No. 7 by the WBA, and No. 9 by the WBC. Record: 16-3 with 15 knockouts Age: 39 Height: 6'6" Reach: 80" Weight: 275.1 pounds Stance: Orthodox Trainer: Steve Broughton Record: 17-1 with 14 knockouts Age: 32 Height: 6'6" Reach: 82" Weight: 250.6 pounds Stance: Orthodox Trainer: Ronnie Shields MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Joe Joyce speaks to the media during the Joe Joyce v Filip Hrgovic ... More Press Conference at Co-op Live on April 03, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ben) 'It's a good fight, good good to share the ring with Hrgovic again, we had a good scrap last time like 12 years ago," said Joyce via Bad Left Hook. The same result is going to happen, I'm going to win, and then get elevated back up to the top of the sport.' 'I know exactly what to expect and I've fought him before and I've trained with Abel before so I know what to been in the sport a long time, he's had a lot of hard fights, but I think it's going to be a great fight and I look forward to knocking him out on Saturday night.' MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Filip Hrgovic looks on during the Joe Joyce v Filip Hrgovic Press ... More Conference at Co-op Live on April 03, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ben) 'Man, he's 40 years definitely not in the peak of his career. Fighters getting older and that's just reality and I'm seven years younger and I think it's going to play a role in this fight.' 'Man, if this guy knocks me out — he's slow like a fog, man. So I don't know how he going to knock me next nickname can be Joe 'Fog' Joyce. He's very slow, I don't know how he's going to knock me out, but look, we'll see on Saturday.' Joyce and Hrgovic had a five-round matchup for the now defunct World Series of Boxing in 2013. Joyce won that fight via split decision. We will update the Joyce vs. Hrgovic results live during tonight's fight card from Co-Op Live in Manchester. Also included will be reactions, video highlights and more.
