Joe Joyce suffered a potentially career-damaging defeat as Filip Hrgovic claimed a unanimous points victory at Manchester's Co-op Live Arena.
Hrgovic won a brutal 10-round heavyweight contest 97-93 96-95 98-92 on the judges' scorecards as 39-year-old Joyce - who was originally scheduled to fight Dillian Whyte before the Londoner withdrew because of an injured hand - soaked up a lot of punishment.
The fight began in explosive fashion as Hrgovic landed several big shots over the top, but a clash of heads left the Croatian with a cut above the left eye.
Blood seeped down Hrgovic's face and that gave Joyce confidence to trade, although his right eye was swelling up in the fourth round.
The slugfest continued throughout, with Joyce enjoying success in the eighth.
But Joyce was hurt by a big left hook at the end of the round and another attack in the ninth buckled the Briton's knees.
Joyce, once tipped to be a future world champion, has now lost four of his last five fights after being stopped twice by Zhilei Zhang in 2023 and outpointed by Derek Chisora in July.
Joyce vs Hrgovic latest news
- Filip Hrgovic beats Joe Joyce by unanimous decision
- Joe Joyce confirms retirement decision after loss to Filip Hrgovic
Good night!
23:46 , Jonathan GorrieThanks for joining Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Joe Joyce’s loss to Filip Hrgovic.
Find our reaction below!
Joe Joyce confirms retirement decision after loss to Filip Hrgovic
23:45 , Jonathan GorrieJoe Joyce shrugged off retirement talk despite losing his fourth fight in five outings, with Filip Hrgovic claiming a unanimous decision victory in Manchester.
Joe Joyce vs Filip Hrgovic
23:10 , Jonathan GorrieHRGOVIC WINS BY UNANIMOUS DECISION!
97-93, 96-95, 98-92
Joe Joyce vs Filip Hrgovic
23:07 , Jonathan GorrieTo the judges we go!
Joe Joyce vs Filip Hrgovic
23:07 , Jonathan GorrieRound 10: An absolute slug fest comes to an end. Much better from Joyce but he allowed Hrgovic back into it in the second half of the fight.
Joyce proved there’s something still there but could and should have finished when Hrgovic tired.
Joe Joyce vs Filip Hrgovic
23:04 , Jonathan GorrieRound 10: The final round!
Joe Joyce vs Filip Hrgovic
23:04 , Jonathan GorrieRound 9: Hrgovic continues in his second wind! Big right hands follow each other and Joyce looks a little rocked.
Joe Joyce vs Filip Hrgovic
22:59 , Jonathan GorrieRound 8: Quality work from Hrgovic, who was finally stepping on the gas. He thinks he’s rocked Joyce but the bell comes to call the round to an end.
Joe Joyce vs Filip Hrgovic
22:55 , Jonathan GorrieRound 7: More meaty shots from both fighters, with neither buckling yet. Joyce arguably edging it, though there’s not much in it.
Either way, much better from Joyce. The punch resistance appears to be there again.
Joe Joyce vs Filip Hrgovic
22:51 , Jonathan GorrieRound 6: It’s incredibly tight. Joyce is surely edging it but Hrgovic ends with a lovely shot to the body.
Joe Joyce vs Filip Hrgovic
22:48 , Jonathan GorrieRound 5: Joyce is looking the fresher of the two.
Joe Joyce vs Filip Hrgovic
22:43 , Jonathan GorrieRound 4: It’s a shootout! Hrgovic ambles back to his corner, he looks shattered.
A better showing from Joyce here, albeit both fighters are looking very sluggish.
Joe Joyce vs Filip Hrgovic
22:39 , Jonathan GorrieRound 3: So slow from Hrgovic and his eye looks to be causing his problems. He responds with a big right that causes Joyce to shake his head.
A slug fest and both are looking shattered.
Joe Joyce vs Filip Hrgovic
22:35 , Jonathan GorrieRound 2: Joyce on the front foot for most of that, denying Hrgovic the chance to put his hands together.
When he does, he’s doing the better work. Still, he does have a nasty cut.
Joe Joyce vs Filip Hrgovic
22:31 , Jonathan GorrieRound 1: Joyce taking some punishment in there. He’s taken some big shots and has looked rocked, albeit standing he remains.
Hrgovic has also been caught a few times and is starting to look jaded even at this early stage.
Joe Joyce vs Filip Hrgovic
22:24 , Jonathan GorrieHere we go!
Joyce vs Hrgovic
22:24 , Jonathan GorrieAnd here comes Joyce! Big night in his career.
Joyce vs Hrgovic
22:21 , Jonathan GorrieIt’s main event time! Hrgovic making his ring walk now.
David Adeleye vs Jeamie Tshikeva
22:04 , Jonathan GorrieAdeleye suggests he lost the Wardley fight the same way, claiming that is simply part of boxing while also saying whatever Tshikeva had on his body got in his eyes.
The result is official, however, and both fighters are being respectful.
David Adeleye vs Jeamie Tshikeva
21:59 , Jonathan GorrieControversy here! It appears the referee may have pushed Tshikeva’s gloves away, allowing Adeleye a free shot!
David Adeleye vs Jeamie Tshikeva
21:57 , Jonathan GorrieRound 6: Down goes Tshikeva! Huge punch from Adeleye.
He’s down again! And it’s over! Adeleye is the new British heavyweight champion!
David Adeleye vs Jeamie Tshikeva
21:55 , Jonathan GorrieRound 5: A better round from Adeleye again, with more power shots coming. Tshikeva still working away with that jab.
David Adeleye vs Jeamie Tshikeva
21:51 , Jonathan GorrieRound 4: Better from Adeleye, who is starting to pick things up.
David Adeleye vs Jeamie Tshikeva
21:46 , Jonathan GorrieRound 3: Strong round from Tshikeva, who is starting to find his jab. Adeleye not throwing enough.
David Adeleye vs Jeamie Tshikeva
21:42 , Jonathan GorrieRound 2: Again, not the cleanest from either fighter. Adeleye lands a power shot at the end of the round.
David Adeleye vs Jeamie Tshikeva
21:39 , Jonathan GorrieRound 1: Not a huge amount on which to report in that opening round. Both fighters just looking to get set here.
Joyce vs Hrgovic
21:30 , Jonathan GorrieAnd now it’s time for our chief support!
David Adeleye vs Jeamie Tshikeva up next for the British heavyweight championship.
Jack Rafferty vs Cory O'Regan
21:10 , Jonathan GorrieRound 5: Brilliant stuff from O’Regan, who keeps throwing back despite being up against it.
A brave performance but his corner throw in the towel. Rafferty wins!
Jack Rafferty vs Cory O'Regan
21:06 , Jonathan GorrieRound 4: O’Regan is cut badly. Even when he connects, he can’t hurt Rafferty.
Very brave to be standing in there. Few would have seen that coming. He’s down again but no knockdown call.
He looks hurt.
Jack Rafferty vs Cory O'Regan
21:02 , Jonathan GorrieRound 3: Down goes O’Regan after a big right! He recovers but Rafferty connects with another huge left on the strike of the bell.
He’ll do well to recover here!
Jack Rafferty vs Cory O'Regan
20:58 , Jonathan GorrieRound 2: Nice body shot from Rafferty but the better work from O’Regan.
Jack Rafferty vs Cory O'Regan
20:56 , Jonathan GorrieRound 1: Decent round from O’Regan there, though still a long way to go. Rafferty making him work with his constant movement, however.
Joyce vs Hrgovic
20:44 , Jonathan GorrieJack Rafferty vs Cory O'Regan up next!
Delicious Orie vs Milos Veletic
20:33 , Jonathan GorrieOrie wins by decision! No surprises there.
Delicious Orie vs Milos Veletic
20:33 , Jonathan GorrieRound 4: Orie can’t get him out of there but a routine win to begin his pro career.
Delicious Orie vs Milos Veletic
20:30 , Jonathan GorrieRound 3: Orie in no danger of losing here but is labouring somewhat here.
Delicious Orie vs Milos Veletic
20:24 , Jonathan GorrieRound 2: Orie’s corner telling him he’s trying too hard.
Veletic isn’t throwing too much back.
Delicious Orie vs Milos Veletic
20:23 , Jonathan GorrieRound 1: A dominant first round from Orie, as expected. Important not to rush and take any risks on his pro debut.
Joyce vs Hrgovic
20:00 , Jonathan GorrieDelicious Orie vs Milos Veletic up next!
Khaleel Majid vs Alex Murphy
19:59 , Jonathan GorrieKhaleel Majid wins by UD!
97-94, 96-94, 96-95
Khaleel Majid vs Alex Murphy
19:57 , Jonathan GorrieRound 10: It’s over! Majid continued with the more eye-catching work but Murphy the more sustained.
What a fight to get us underway.
Khaleel Majid vs Alex Murphy
19:53 , Jonathan GorrieRound 9: Another brilliant round, and another decent one for Murphy. Majid’s speed, however, is causing problems.
Khaleel Majid vs Alex Murphy
19:49 , Jonathan GorrieRound 8: The fight continues at a frantic pace. Murphy is more accurate but Majid is landing the more meaningful punches.
Khaleel Majid vs Alex Murphy
19:45 , Jonathan GorrieRound 7: A brilliant end to the round as Majid starts to show he’s hurt. He recovers well to reach the bell but Murphy will take heart from that.
Khaleel Majid vs Alex Murphy
19:40 , Jonathan GorrieRound 6: Some glimpses for Majid with that right hand but Murphy is moving into the ascendancy.
Khaleel Majid vs Alex Murphy
19:40 , Jonathan GorrieRound 5: Another decent round for Murphy, who is starting to look much more confident there.
Khaleel Majid vs Alex Murphy
19:32 , Jonathan GorrieRound 4: Much better from Murphy, who has established his jab for the first real time. He’s starting to take control.
Khaleel Majid vs Alex Murphy
19:29 , Jonathan GorrieRound 3: A fantastic pace to this fight but Majid looks to be a class above. Those right hands are landing almost every single above.
Khaleel Majid vs Alex Murphy
19:24 , Jonathan GorrieRound 2: Two big rights catch Murphy again, albeit he’s taking the shots well. Majid showing much more in the way of quality.
Khaleel Majid vs Alex Murphy
19:21 , Jonathan GorrieRound 1: Majid lands a lovely right hand at the end of the first round. Murphy the busier until then.
Khaleel Majid vs Alex Murphy
19:15 , Jonathan GorrieAway we go!
Joyce vs Hrgovic
19:11 , Jonathan GorrieKhaleel Majid vs Alex Murphy up first!
Joyce vs Hrgovic
19:10 , Jonathan GorrieHere we go!
Joyce vs Hrgovic
18:31 , Jonathan GorrieJoyce looking to run it back!
All these years later, @JoeJoyceBoxing & @Filip_Hrgovic run it back 🔜🔥#HeavyImpact | Tonight | Live on @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/MZC7ws73DP
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) April 5, 2025
Joyce vs Hrgovic weigh-in results
18:02 , Jonathan GorrieThe fighters took to the scales on Friday afternoon.
Hrgovic came in at 250.6lbs, while Joyce will be the significantly heavier man in the ring after tipping the scales at 275.1lbs.
Dillian Whyte pulls out of Joe Joyce bout with finger injury
17:43 , Jonathan GorrieDillian Whyte was forced to pull out of next month's fight against Joe Joyce.
The 36-year-old has suffered a finger injury to leave Joyce scrambling for a late replacement for the April 5 fight.
Whyte and Joyce were set to headline a stacked Queenberry Promotions card at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester in one month's time.
Joyce vs Hrgovic: Latest odds for boxing tonight
17:04 , Jonathan GorrieJoyce to win: 3/1
Hrgovic to win: 1/4
Draw: 16/1
Joyce to win on points or by decision: 8/1
Joyce to win by knockout, technical knockout or disqualification: 5/1
Hrgovic to win on points or by decision: 11/4
Hrgovic to win by knockout, technical knockout or disqualification: 4/5
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Joyce vs Hrgovic: Boxing fight prediction today
17:02 , Jonathan GorrieTwo years ago, Joyce was an unbeaten fighter who had just stopped Joseph Parker and was heading into a showdown against Zhang with a world-title shot firmly on the agenda.
But there have been three defeats since then and arguably more worrying has been the performances. So much of Joyce’s success in his professional career has been centred on a granite chin, with the Briton able to take remarkable levels of punishment and still keep marching forward.
That punch resistance, though, has seemingly dropped significantly. His style has inevitably caught up with him and he has looked incredibly vulnerable in his recent fights, getting ruthlessly stopped twice by Zhang and then dropped in defeat to Chisora.
Hrgovic is seven years younger and until his defeat to Dubois had been next in line for a world-title bout. That defeat to Dubois was a real slugfest, and one in which Hrgovic actually started well.
He then struggled as Dubois threw the kitchen sink at him and the Croatian was cut to both eyes, with the fight eventually stopped.
Joyce will fight at a much slower pace than Dubois and should be a fairly static target for Hrgovic to hit. Assuming the Dubois fight has not taken a lot out of the Hrgovic tank, he should be more than good enough to get his career back on track with a stoppage win.
Hrgovic to win by stoppage, round four.
Joyce vs Hrgovic: Fight card/undercard in full
17:01 , Jonathan Gorrie- Joe Joyce vs Filip Hrgovic
- David Adeleye vs Jeamie Tshikeva
- Jack Rafferty vs Cory O'Regan
- Delicious Orie vs Milos Veletic
- Khaleel Majid vs Alex Murphy
- Royston Barney-Smith vs Cesar Ignacio Paredes
- Mark Chamberlain vs Miguel Angel Scaringi
- Nelson Birchall vs Rodrigo Matias Areco
- Ramtin Musah vs Robbie Chapman
- Louis Szeto vs Nabil Ahmed
- Alfie Middlemiss vs Alexander Morales
Joyce vs Hrgovic: TV channel and live stream for boxing tonight
17:01 , Jonathan GorrieTV channel: The event will be broadcast on DAZN. Subscription plans start at £14.99 a month. Coverage of the prelims starts at 4:10pm BST, with the main undercard from 7pm and ring walks for the main event expected at around 10pm.
Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on the DAZN website or app.
Live blog: Follow all the action from the entire card with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog!
Joyce vs Hrgovic: Start time and main event ring walks
17:00The main undercard is due to get underway at 7pm BST, but TV coverage of the prelims is set to start at around 4.10pm.
Ring walks for the main event are expected at approximately 10pm, though as ever those timings are subject to change.
Welcome
16:39 , Jonathan GorrieGood afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Joe Joyce’s huge boxing showdown against Filip Hrgovic.
It is a huge night in Joyce’s career at the Co-Op Arena in Manchester, with ‘The Juggernaut’ looking to reverse a worrying trend of losing three of his last four fights.
