Joyce vs. Hrgovic: A Heavyweight Showdown in Manchester

British heavyweight Joe Joyce is set to face Croatian contender Filip Hrgovic on April 5 at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester. This bout comes as a result of Joyce's originally scheduled opponent, Dillian Whyte, withdrawing due to a hand injury.

The Fighters

Joe Joyce: At 39, Joyce is at a pivotal point in his career. Despite his silver medal at the 2012 Olympics and a previous victory over Hrgovic in their amateur days, Joyce has faced recent setbacks, including two losses to Zhilei Zhang and a defeat by Derek Chisora.
Filip Hrgovic: The 32-year-old Croatian is also looking to bounce back from his first career defeat, which came at the hands of Daniel Dubois in June.

The Stakes

Promoter Frank Warren emphasized the high stakes of this match, stating, "It's a tough fight for both of them. The winner goes on, and the loser will need to reconsider their career path."

Historical Context

Both fighters competed in the super-heavyweight category at the 2012 Olympics, with Joyce securing a silver medal in London and Hrgovic taking bronze. Their amateur rivalry dates back to 2013, when Joyce emerged victorious.

Event Updates

In other news, Lawrence Okolie, a former cruiserweight world champion, has been forced to withdraw from his heavyweight fight against Richard Riakporhe due to a training injury. Warren remains uncertain about Riakporhe's participation, while undefeated prospect Moses Itauma, aged 20, has been added to the event.