Joe Joyce faces Filip Hrgovic in pivotal heavyweight clash
- Joe Joyce and Filip Hrgovic face off in a crucial heavyweight bout at Co-Op Live in Manchester, England.
- The fight is part of a major event featuring several other matches, including a title bout for David Adeleye.
- Both fighters aim to prove themselves and gain a step closer to championship contention.
On April 5, 2025, boxing fans gathered in Manchester, England, for an exciting heavyweight bout between Joe Joyce and Filip Hrgovic, part of a Queensberry-promoted fight card at Co-Op Live. Joyce, the former WBO interim heavyweight champion, faced Hrgovic, a rising contender in the heavyweight division, after the initial match against Dillian Whyte fell through. This high-stakes fight was crucial for Joyce's quest to reestablish himself in championship contention. Both fighters brought impressive records into the match, with Joyce showcasing 16 wins and 3 losses, and Hrgovic holding a record of 17 wins and 1 loss. Joyce and Hrgovic had previously met during their amateur careers, with Joyce winning that matchup. The fight card featured several other exciting matchups, including David Adeleye fighting Jeamie Tshikeva for a vacant title, and a host of preliminary bouts scheduled before the main event. The event was streamed live on DAZN and was expected to draw significant viewership. As the anticipation built up to the scheduled ring walks at approximately 5:00 PM ET, both fighters expressed confidence in their abilities to secure victory. Joyce highlighted his experience and past success against Hrgovic, while Hrgovic downplayed Joyce’s capabilities citing his age and previous encounters. Additionally, earlier that day, another significant event took place in Kazakhstan where Janibek Alimkhanuly defended his titles against Anauel Ngamissengue, marking a memorable day in boxing.