Filip Hrgović Edges Joe Joyce in All-Out War

Manchester, UK - Filip Hrgović got back to winning ways Saturday night at Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, battling through blood, exhaustion, and relentless pressure to earn a unanimous decision win over fellow heavyweight warrior Joe Joyce.

Filip Hrgović and Joe Joyce went toe-to-toe in a savage, high-stakes heavyweight war, with Hrgović’s precision edging out Joyce’s relentless pressure in a fight that delivered from bell to bell.

The victory marks a strong rebound for Hrgović, who suffered his first career defeat to Daniel Dubois in his previous outing. Against Joyce, he reminded fans and critics alike that he still belongs in the world-level conversation.

From the opening bell, it was clear this would be a slugfest. Joyce — known for his iron chin and forward pressure — applied constant heat, jabbing to the body and pushing Hrgović into corners. But Hrgović, despite an early cut over his left eye, stayed composed and sharp, landing crisp right hands, sneaky uppercuts, and well-timed combinations that often caught Joyce clean.

Though Joyce had strong moments in the middle rounds, walking through heavy shots and backing Hrgović up, the Croatian found a second wind in the final rounds. His output increased, his shots regained snap, and he finished the fight landing the cleaner, more accurate punches as Joyce began to slow and swing wide.

The final bell brought a roar from the Manchester crowd — both men had delivered in a grueling, crowd-pleasing war. But the judges were in agreement: Hrgović had done just enough with his precision and poise to earn the nod.

With the win, Hrgović keeps his title hopes alive and erases the sting of the Dubois defeat. He showed resilience, craft, and grit — the kind of performance that puts him right back in the top tier of heavyweight contenders.

Joyce, meanwhile, remains as tough as they come. While the result adds another setback to his record, his ability to absorb punishment and continue pressing makes him a threat to anyone in the division.

Final scores: 97-93, 96-95, 98-92