Joe Joyce vs Filip Hrgovic LIVE RESULTS: Juggernaut in BLOODY clash as career HANGS IN BALANCE after yet another defeat
JOE JOYCE is now facing HUGE questions over his future after a crushing defeat to Filip Hrgovic in Manchester.
The Juggernaut, 39, suffered a fourth loss in his last five fights with Hrgovic taking a unanimous decision.
Late replacement Hrgovic looked good as he tries to get back into world title contention - but Joyce will now hear calls to retire given his age and recent record.
On a stacked bill at the Co-Op Arena, David Adeleye won the British heavyweight title after a hugely controversial win over Jeamie TKV - with the ref seemingly grabbing TKV's hand before Adeleye got the finish.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK
Follow ALL the action from the Co-Op Live Arena with our live blog below...
Hrgovic wins!
He says: "Thanks to Joe for this opportunity he took the fight on Short notice and thanks to him.
"Thanks to my team, Abel Sanchez, Keith Connolly to Queensberry Promotions to DAZN.
"I'm really happy to be back and looking forward to big fights in the future."
Credit: Getty Joyce vs Hrgovic
Judges score the bout 97-93, 96-95 and 98-92 to your winner by unanimous decision... Filip Hrgovic!
His accurate right hands were enough to see him take the decision over ten tough rounds.
Joyce vs Hrgovic – R10
Crisp counter left hook lands for Hrgovic as he backs into the ropes - Joyce walked into that one.
Hrgovic lands with two as Joyce lands the one - tired work but they're giving it all they've got.
The two trade blow for blow for the final 30 seconds - leaving it all in the ring to mark 10 punishing rounds as we go to the judges scorecards.
Credit: PA
Joyce vs Hrgovic – R9
Clubbing left body shot sinks into Hrgovic's midriff.
Hrgovic lets his hands go and has Joyce retreating backwards and he follows it up with another load of heavy shots.
Another huge right rocks Joyce and his knees buckle - but the brave Brit rides it out and makes it to the corner.
Tenth and final round coming up.
Credit: PA Joyce vs Hrgovic – R8
Joyce plugging away coming forward, but Hrgovic is still landing right hands and fast combinations.
The left hook has been Joyce's big weapon the last few rounds and he lands it a couple of times as Hrgovic retreats.
Fitness does seem to favour Joyce for the moment but Hrgovic ends the round with a big left hook.
Credit: Getty Joyce vs Hrgovic – R7
Lovely jabs from Joyce to the body, looks to be slowing Hrgovic down.
Left hook shakes Joyce but he recovers well after looking unsteady on his legs.
Hrgovic by far the more accurate puncher of the two - ending the round with a string of sharp right hands.
Boxing â Joe Joyce v Filip Hrgovic â Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester, Britain â April 5, 2025 Filip Hrgovic in action during his fight against Joe Joyce Action Images via Reuters/Ed SykesCredit: Reuters Joyce vs Hrgovic – R6
Slugfest with the two trading blow for blow.
Hrgovic really accurate with the right hand but he's taking his foot off the gas as he tires.
Joyce has consistently walked forward but he's shipping punishment doing so.
Credit: Getty Joyce vs Hrgovic – R5
Right hand from Hrgovic rocks Joyce's head back but the Croatian is forced back onto the ropes.
Two chopping right hands stop Joyce in his tracks after a period of being on the front foot.
Hrgovic forced back to the ropes again as Joyce pins him back with the right hand.
Credit: PA Joyce vs Hrgovic – R4
Hrgovic scores with a couple of right hands but Joyce responds by coming forward.
Two massive left hooks rocket off Joyce's chin - huge shot by Hrgovic.
Joyce pins Hrgovic in the corner to end the round and they swing it out - it's carnage!
Credit: Reuters
Joyce vs Hrgovic – R3
Joyce comes forward, clubbing right hands into Hrgovic's guard.
But Hrgovic fires back with a right of his own although he's looking the more tired of the pair.
Right hand followed by a left hook to the body for Hrgovic - now Joyce comes forward swinging but nothing finding the target.
Massive right over the top wobbles Hrgovic and the two swing it out in the corner.
Credit: Getty Joyce vs Hrgovic – R2
Hrgovic chases Joyce down the ring landing right hands - but it spurs Joyce to fire back.
Blood seeps down the face of Hrgovic, who is trading right hands in the centre with Joyce - not the most textbook of boxing.
Lazy looking right hook misses by a mile from Hrgovic - scrappy stuff but entertaining nonetheless.
Credit: PA Joyce vs Hrgovic - R1
Hrgovic finds home with some right hands over the top.
But a clash of heads leaves the Croatian cut above the left eye, early drama!
Joyce on the back foot from the start and he's taken some big right hands already - fast start from Hrgovic.
Here comes the Juggernaut!
Joyce comes out in his trademark juggernaut hat!
He MUST win tonight - or it could be his final fight.
All the play for in Manchester.
Actually, not quite
Firstly, Fabio Wardley is facing off with Jarrell Miller ahead of their June 7 WBA 'interim' heavyweight title fight.
It marks a dream bout for Ipswich super-fan Wardley - staged at Portman Road.
Miller deservedly gets booed by the British fans - amid his scandalous past of failed drug tests.
Main event up NEXT
Joe Joyce puts his career on the line against Filip Hrgovic and it's coming up next.
Stay with us here for all the updates.
Adeleye vs TKV
Asked if he will appeal the decision, TKV says: "We'll see. We'll keep working always."
And Adeleye says: "I don't want Jeamie getting no hate from my fans."
Credit: Reuters Adeleye vs TKV
TKV's team arguing that the referee should have intervened before Adeleye's left hook that first dropped him.
Ben Davison & Co are fuming.
Credit: Reuters Adeleye vs TKV
Drama as Adeleye first dropped TKV after they came together and clinched - shock - but he landed a quick and smart left hook.
TKV beat the count but was on the end of a barrage of shots from Adeleye and he hit the canvas again.
Massive protests from TKV's corner.
Adeleye vs TKV – R6
DOWN GOES TKV!
Early in round, a short left hook after a coming together sees Adeleye land a big left hook.
Here comes Adeleye with a barrage of shots and down goes TKV again! The fight is over!
Adeleye vs TKV – R5
Adeleye gets on the front foot and lands a decent right hand as TKV leans back on the ropes.
More of the same as the two cannot stop clashing and coming together.
TKV has found a home for his unorthodox jab.
Credit: Getty Adeleye vs TKV – R4
Things get ugly as the two lean in and grab each other - styles just haven't gelled.
Adeleye lands a hook over the top but can't follow it up with anything telling.
No one has yet taken control of the action as we head into the fifth.
Credit: Getty
Adeleye vs TKV – R3
Boos can be heard ringing around the arena amid the lack of action.
TKV is shooting the jab high and low but not much is coming after.
Adeleye seems more interested in shimmying his shoulders instead of throwing punches.
Credit: Reuters Adeleye vs TKV - R2
TKV stabbing the jab down to Adeleye's body and lands a right after the break.
Adeleye goes looking for the right uppercut but is grazes past the chin of TKV.
More grabbing and spoiling from the pair - not what the fans want to see but Adeleye does end the round with a combination on the ropes.
Credit: PA Adeleye vs TKV - Rd 1
Not the electric start we hoped for after such a fiery build up.
A lot of coming togethers in the opening round.
No one has yet established the jab or taken control of the fight but early days yet.
Adeleye vs TKV
Both men are in the ring and the tension is there for all to see.
Adeleye is now cornered by esteemed coach Adam Booth while TKV is fighting out of Ben Davison's gym.