Manchester, UK - Dillian Whyte and Joe Joyce are set to collide in a high-stakes showdown on April 5, 2025, at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester. The bout, promoted by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, headlines a blockbuster heavyweight card broadcast live on DAZN.

With both fighters coming off turbulent periods in their careers, this fight has the feel of a "Loser Leaves Town" bout—at least for the higher echelons of the division. A defeat for either man could mark the end of their days as contenders, while victory could open the door for another run.

Both Whyte (30-3, 20 KOs) and Joyce (15-3, 14 KOs) have been mainstays in British heavyweight boxing for years, but both have seen their stocks decline following recent losses. Whyte, 36, has struggled to regain momentum since his 2022 knockout loss to Tyson Fury, managing only sporadic fights since. He edged out Jermaine Franklin in a controversial decision later that year, but a failed drug test saw his planned rematch with Anthony Joshua scrapped. After serving a short suspension, he returned in December 2023 with a hard-fought win over Ebenezer Tetteh in what was widely seen as a tune-up fight. Now, Whyte is desperate to get back into the heavyweight conversation and prove he still belongs at the elite level.

Joyce, on the other hand, finds himself at a career crossroads. Once considered a rising force, "The Juggernaut" suffered back-to-back knockout defeats to Zhilei Zhang in 2023, which derailed his world title aspirations. His attempt to bounce back against Derek Chisora in July 2024 ended in another setback, as the 41-year-old veteran outworked him over twelve rounds. At 39 years old, Joyce faces immense pressure—another loss could force him into retirement.

The April 5 event doesn’t stop at Whyte vs. Joyce—it features an action-packed card full of compelling heavyweight action:
Richard Riakporhe vs. Lawrence Okolie – This heavyweight clash pits two former cruiserweight standouts against each other as they debut in the division. With past tensions and war of words fueling their rivalry, expect an explosive encounter.

David Adeleye vs. Jeamie TKV – Adeleye looks to continue his return to form against the durable TKV in a fight that could push the winner toward a British title shot.

Team GB Olympic super-heavyweight Delicious Orie will make his pro debut under the Queensberry banner. The 6'6" British-Nigerian prospect has drawn comparisons to Anthony Joshua and will look to make an immediate impact in the paid ranks.

Frank Warren, who has moved his Queensberry Promotions partnership to DAZN, sees this event as a statement for British heavyweight boxing: “We are starting as we mean to go on, and as you might expect, the heavyweights will play a big, big part in 2025 and beyond.”

As Whyte and Joyce prepare for their showdown, the stakes for each couldn’t be higher. For Whyte, a victory could put him back in the mix for another big-money fight. For Joyce, a win might silence his critics and keep his career alive. But for the loser, the future is uncertain—this could very well be their last chance at the top level.
April 5 in Manchester will be a night of reckoning. The Co-op Live Arena is set for an all-heavyweight spectacle that could reshape the landscape of British boxing.
Will Whyte or Joyce survive the chopping block? We’ll find out soon enough.

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