Filip Hrgovic dominates with speed and technique and secures a unanimous points victory over Joe Joyce.
Manchester – Filip Hrgovic got his heavyweight career back on track with an impressive comeback victory. In the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, the Croatian secured a unanimous points victory over Joe Joyce and made it clear that he still belongs among the elite of the top division.
Hrgovic (18-1, 14 knockouts) stepped in for Dillian Whyte on short notice, but took the opportunity to make up for his first career defeat to Daniel Dubois in June last year. Joyce (16-4, 15 knockouts), on the other hand, suffered his second defeat in a row after losing on points to Dereck Chisora. The Briton has only won one of his last five fights – an alarming statistic for the boxer who was once celebrated as a “juggernaut”.
Hrgovic’s key to success was already apparent in the first round: his superior hand speed. He repeatedly hit Joyce with precise jab-overhand-right combinations. Joyce proved his usual taker qualities and responded late in the round with a left hook. Nevertheless, the Brit remained susceptible to Hrgovic’s rights throughout the fight, which repeatedly landed cleanly. Despite some periods of pressure and sporadic success, Joyce was never able to take control. Hrgovic remained technically clean, variable in his combinations and did not allow himself to be rattled – especially in the final phase, where he once again demonstrated his boxing class.
In the end, the judges were unanimous: the verdict was 97-93, 96-95 and 98-92 in favor of the Croatian – even though Joyce obviously saw himself as the winner. The fight also marked the debut of Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions on the DAZN streaming platform, which brought the event additional media attention. With this win, Hrgovic once again puts himself in position for bigger fights at heavyweight – perhaps even a future world title eliminator.