Joe Joyce suffered defeat by unanimous choice to Filip Hrgovic on his return to the ring in Manchester on Saturday.
Combating for the primary time since defeat to Derek Chisora in July 2024, the 39-year-old Brit misplaced a decent combat the place Hrgovic grew in dominance, incomes scores of 97-93, 96-95, 98-92 in his favour by the judges after ten rounds.
Joyce was initially meant to combat Dillian Whyte in an all-British affair, however a finger harm suffered by the latter noticed Hrgovic step in at late discover.
The 32-year-old Croatian hadn’t fought since a defeat to Daniel Dubois in June, in what was the primary skilled lack of his profession after 18 bouts to that time. His report now reads 18-1 after his defeat of Joyce.
Britain’s Joyce was trying to get his profession again on monitor after three defeats in his final 4, most lately to Derek Chisora in July
Requested if he was considering retirement after what’s now 4 defeats in his final 5 fights Joyce stated: “Are you not entertained? It was a very good combat and it was robust.
“He is an excellent fighter, he is been doing it a very long time. We are able to do it once more.”
Hrgovic in the meantime stated he has his eyes set on a rematch with Dubois.
“This man beat Dubois and I beat him so I desire a rematch with Daniel Dubois,” he stated.
“I did actually dangerous in my final combat however congrats to him and he did an excellent job in his final combat. After all I need to rematch him sooner or later.
“”Because of Joe for this chance. I got here in on quick discover, I wasn’t fairly prepared. I am actually comfortable to be again and look ahead to huge fights sooner or later.
“This man is like metal, I could not consider he took all of the photographs. He is a tricky man, a beast, very robust.”
The combat started in explosive style as Hrgovic landed a number of huge photographs excessive, however a conflict of heads left the Croatian with a reduce above the left eye.
Blood seeped down Hrgovic’s face and that gave Joyce confidence to commerce, though his personal proper eye swelled up within the fourth spherical.
The slugfest continued all through, with Joyce having fun with success within the eighth. However Joyce was damage by a giant left hook on the finish of the spherical and one other assault within the ninth buckled the Briton’s knees, from which he by no means actually recovered.
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