Boxing

JOE JOYCE is now facing HUGE questions over his future after a crushing defeat to Filip Hrgovic in Manchester.The Juggernaut, 39, suffered a fourth loss in his last five fights with Hrgovic taking a unanimous decision.Late replacement Hrgovic looked good as he tries to get back into world title contention – but Joyce will now hear calls to retire given his age and recent record.On a stacked bill at the Co-Op Arena, David Adeleye won the British heavyweight title after a hugely controversial win over Jeamie TKV – with the ref seemingly grabbing TKV’s hand before Adeleye got the finish.BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKFollow ALL the action from the Co-Op Live Arena with our live blog below…Joyce not talking retirementJoe Joyce batted away the questions whether he will now call it a day after suffering his fourth loss in his last five fights.Asked if he would retire, Joyce said: “Are you not entertained? It was a good fight and it was tough.“He’s a great fighter, he’s been doing it a long time.”Credit: PACopy linkCopiedHow the fight endedHrgovic looked deflated And defeated by the start of round eight, after hitting Joyce with his best shots and not making a dent.Joyce was battered at the end of round eight but his freakishly tough skull helped him survive again.And the West Londoner was peppered again in the ninth, after his woeful coach insisted he “stop overthinking things”.The Englishman was smacked and slapped again in the final session, when it had already become hard to watch and only the visitor celebrated at the final bell.Copy linkCopiedRingside reportJoe Joyce is finished as a top-tier heavyweight after another punishing defeat to Filip Hrgovic, writes Wally Downes Jr.The 39-year-old Putney man is too tough and decent and brave to keep taking these beatings and is showing signs of decline which people around him must now address before it is too late.The judges called it: 97-93, 96-95 and 98-92, confirming the fourth loss in five bouts for Joyce, who needs firm but fair advice.Joyce was slow and hittable from the opening Manchester bell, getting tagged from the off.Hrgovic, 32, couldn’t miss with almost every punch he threw but it was the Croatian bookies’ favourite who was cut over his left eye.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedJoyce refuses to retireAsked if he will call it a day, Joyce says with a grin: “Are you not entertained? It was a good fight and it was tough. “He’s a great fighter, he’s been doing it a long time.”Credit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedHrgovic wants Dubois rematchHe roars: “This guy beat Dubois and i beat him so I want a rematch with Daniel Dubois. “I did really bad in my last fight but congrats to him and he did a great job in his last fight. Of course I want to rematch him one day.” Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedHrgovic wins!He says: “Thanks to Joe for this opportunity he took the fight on Short notice and thanks to him.”Thanks to my team, Abel Sanchez, Keith Connolly to Queensberry Promotions to DAZN.”I’m really happy to be back and looking forward to big fights in the future.” Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedJoyce vs HrgovicJudges score the bout 97-93, 96-95 and 98-92 to your winner by unanimous decision… Filip Hrgovic!His accurate right hands were enough to see him take the decision over ten tough rounds. Copy linkCopiedJoyce vs Hrgovic – R10 Crisp counter left hook lands for Hrgovic as he backs into the ropes – Joyce walked into that one. Hrgovic lands with two as Joyce lands the one – tired work but they’re giving it all they’ve got. The two trade blow for blow for the final 30 seconds – leaving it all in the ring to mark 10 punishing rounds as we go to the judges scorecards. Credit: PACopy linkCopiedJoyce vs Hrgovic – R9Clubbing left body shot sinks into Hrgovic’s midriff. Hrgovic lets his hands go and has Joyce retreating backwards and he follows it up with another load of heavy shots. Another huge right rocks Joyce and his knees buckle – but the brave Brit rides it out and makes it to the corner. Tenth and final round coming up.Credit: PACopy linkCopiedJoyce vs Hrgovic – R8 Joyce plugging away coming forward, but Hrgovic is still landing right hands and fast combinations. The left hook has been Joyce’s big weapon the last few rounds and he lands it a couple of times as Hrgovic retreats. Fitness does seem to favour Joyce for the moment but Hrgovic ends the round with a big left hook.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedJoyce vs Hrgovic – R7 Lovely jabs from Joyce to the body, looks to be slowing Hrgovic down. Left hook shakes Joyce but he recovers well after looking unsteady on his legs. Hrgovic by far the more accurate puncher of the two – ending the round with a string of sharp right hands. Boxing – Joe Joyce v Filip Hrgovic – Co-Op Live Arena, Manchester, Britain – April 5, 2025 Filip Hrgovic in action during his fight against Joe Joyce Action Images via Reuters/Ed SykesCredit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedJoyce vs Hrgovic – R6 Slugfest with the two trading blow for blow. Hrgovic really accurate with the right hand but he’s taking his foot off the gas as he tires. Joyce has consistently walked forward but he’s shipping punishment doing so. Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedJoyce vs Hrgovic – R5 Right hand from Hrgovic rocks Joyce’s head back but the Croatian is forced back onto the ropes. Two chopping right hands stop Joyce in his tracks after a period of being on the front foot.Hrgovic forced back to the ropes again as Joyce pins him back with the right hand. Credit: PACopy linkCopiedJoyce vs Hrgovic – R4 Hrgovic scores with a couple of right hands but Joyce responds by coming forward. Two massive left hooks rocket off Joyce’s chin – huge shot by Hrgovic. Joyce pins Hrgovic in the corner to end the round and they swing it out – it’s carnage! Credit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedJoyce vs Hrgovic – R3 Joyce comes forward, clubbing right hands into Hrgovic’s guard. But Hrgovic fires back with a right of his own although he’s looking the more tired of the pair. Right hand followed by a left hook to the body for Hrgovic – now Joyce comes forward swinging but nothing finding the target. Massive right over the top wobbles Hrgovic and the two swing it out in the corner. Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedJoyce vs Hrgovic – R2 Hrgovic chases Joyce down the ring landing right hands – but it spurs Joyce to fire back.Blood seeps down the face of Hrgovic, who is trading right hands in the centre with Joyce – not the most textbook of boxing. Lazy looking right hook misses by a mile from Hrgovic – scrappy stuff but entertaining nonetheless. Credit: PACopy linkCopiedJoyce vs Hrgovic – R1 Hrgovic finds home with some right hands over the top. But a clash of heads leaves the Croatian cut above the left eye, early drama! Joyce on the back foot from the start and he’s taken some big right hands already – fast start from Hrgovic. Copy linkCopiedHere comes the Juggernaut! Joyce comes out in his trademark juggernaut hat! He MUST win tonight – or it could be his final fight. All the play for in Manchester. Copy linkCopiedActually, not quite Firstly, Fabio Wardley is facing off with Jarrell Miller ahead of their June 7 WBA ‘interim’ heavyweight title fight. It marks a dream bout for Ipswich super-fan Wardley – staged at Portman Road. Miller deservedly gets booed by the British fans – amid his scandalous past of failed drug tests. Copy linkCopiedMain event up NEXT Joe Joyce puts his career on the line against Filip Hrgovic and it’s coming up next. Stay with us here for all the updates. Copy linkCopiedAdeleye vs TKVAsked if he will appeal the decision, TKV says: “We’ll see. We’ll keep working always.”And Adeleye says: “I don’t want Jeamie getting no hate from my fans.”Credit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedAdeleye vs TKVTKV’s team arguing that the referee should have intervened before Adeleye’s left hook that first dropped him. Ben Davison & Co are fuming. Credit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedAdeleye vs TKVDrama as Adeleye first dropped TKV after they came together and clinched – shock – but he landed a quick and smart left hook.TKV beat the count but was on the end of a barrage of shots from Adeleye and he hit the canvas again. Massive protests from TKV’s corner. Copy linkCopiedAdeleye vs TKV – R6 DOWN GOES TKV! Early in round, a short left hook after a coming together sees Adeleye land a big left hook.Here comes Adeleye with a barrage of shots and down goes TKV again! The fight is over!Copy linkCopiedAdeleye vs TKV – R5 Adeleye gets on the front foot and lands a decent right hand as TKV leans back on the ropes. More of the same as the two cannot stop clashing and coming together. TKV has found a home for his unorthodox jab. Credit: GettyCopy linkCopied More

HUGHIE FURY beat Fan Garber in York Hall – but Dave Allen was far from impressed at the performance.The White Rhino was on commentary duty for DAZN but said the fight was “completely pointless” and a “total mismatch” before Fury scored a fifth round TKO win with two brutal body shots.It was then said that Fury, 30, was boxing with an injured hand and was fighting at a slow pace to try and get rounds in.New promoter Izzy Asif has now promised that Fury will have a big fight on June 27 – with Dillian Whyte marked as a potential opponent.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFollow our live blog below…Joyce vs Hrgovic – full cardHere’s how the action in Manchester will unfold:Joe Joyce vs Filip HrgovicJack Rafferty vs Cory O’Regan – for Commonwealth super-lightweight titleDavid Adeleye vs Jeamie TKV – for vacant British heavyweight titleKhaleel Majid vs Alex MurphyJuergen Uldedaj vs Gerardo MelladoMark Chamberlain vs Miguel Angel ScaringiRoyston Barney-Smith vs Cesar Ignacio ParedesNelson Birchall vs Rodrigo Matias ArecoAlfie Middlemiss vs Alexander MoralesDelicious Orie vs Milos VelecticRamtin Musah vs Robbie ChapmanLouis Szeto vs Nabil AhmedCopy linkCopiedMore boxing actionDon’t forget we have an absolutely MASSIVE night of boxing coming up on Saturday.There’s a strong card that features some very tasty clashes on the undercard, including the grudge match between David Adeleye and Jeamie TKV – who have been feuding all week.That one is for the vacant British title.The bill also features the highly anticipated debut of Olympian Delicious Orie and Turki Alalshikh’s favourite fighter, Mark Chamberlain.The top of the bill, of course, features a huge heavyweight dust-up between Joe Joyce and Filip Hrgovic.Both men are at a real crossroads in their careers and will see the fight as a must win.Copy linkCopiedFull resultsHere’s how the night’s action unfolded: Ben Crocker SPLIT DRAW Tiernan Bradley – for European super-lightweight titleHughie Fury TKO Dan GarberEmma Dolan UD Lauren Parker – for British and Commonwealth super-flyweight titleKieran Molloy TKO Riccardo CrepaldiLouie O’Doherty PTS Reuquen ArceGradus Kraus TKO Tony AmoakuCopy linkCopiedHughie hamperedHughie Fury did start slow before going through the gears to score a fifth-round TKO win against a massively outmatched opponent. In his defence, it was later revealed that the heavyweight had hurt his hand in the build-up this week, leaving him unable to properly throw shots.Copy linkCopiedLack of FuryHeavyweight contender Dave Allen was on commentary for DAZN tonight but was far from impressed at Hughie Fury’s performance… Copy linkCopiedFury vs Whyte?The big news of the night was Hughie Fury is set to be involved in a big fight in the summer.New promoter Izzy Asif confirmed that one would be taking place on June 27 in Galway, Ireland. Hughie called out Dillian Whyte earlier this week and was pushed on the prospect of facing the Body Snatcher. Both Hughie and trainer Peter appeared to be more than game.But earlier this week, Whyte was quoted as saying: “Hahahahaha, that is news to me. I think he’s been hit too hard.”Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedAll overThat’s it for the action from York Hall after Daniel Dos Santos pulled OUT of his fight at very short notice at the start of the evening.A bit of a shocker from him after Bradley Rea was drafted in at the last minute to replace Shakan Pitters.Copy linkCopiedRematch on the cardsBoth men were interviewed after the fight and it seems like we WILL be heading for a rematch some time soon.Crocker and Bradley both believe they won the fight and “did enough” to get the result.That was a tough one to call but after an entertaining 10 rounds it looks like we will do that one all over again.Copy linkCopiedSPLIT DRAWBen Crocker keeps his belt! It’s a bit of a shock here as Bradley is denied the title, and both fighters keep their unbeaten records.Rematch? Who says no?Copy linkCopiedCrocker vs Bradley – R10Bradley ends the fight as the more confident fighter and looks very energetic, too.For me, a new champion will be crowned here despite a spirited comeback from Crocker.But how will the judges see it?Copy linkCopiedCrocker vs Bradley – R9Bradley continues to put Crocker on the back foot as the champion looks out of ideas.For me, the Irishman is well up on the scorecards heading into the last.Copy linkCopiedCrocker vs Bradley – R8Crocker is now starting to throw combinations as he attempts to slow Bradley down.But is it too late for the champion? A knockout is needed for the Welshman for him to retain his title.Into the ninth.Copy linkCopiedCrocker vs Bradley – R7Bradley very quick out of the corner again and lands a right hand, the Irishman certainly looking the fresher of the two after the previous round left Crocker dazed.The champion not punching enough and will need to get back on the front foot if he wants to turn this fight around.Bradley is certainly up on the scorecards after seven rounds.Copy linkCopiedCrocker vs Bradley – R6Bradley is coming at Crocker at pace, throwing combinations right at the champion.Bradley very quick with his punches and is hunting down Crocker.The Welshman is very much on the back foot as Bradley lands multiple right hands and hurts the champion.Crocker’s legs look shaky and has some damage under his left eye.The champion is hanging on here.Copy linkCopiedCrocker vs Bradley – R5Crocker reacts brilliantly to hit Bradley with a right hook to the shoulder, which looks to be swelling.The champion now the more dominant of the two.Bradley does end the round well, though and catches Crocker with a few skilful shots.The challenger doesn’t look to be slowing down as we head into the sixth.Copy linkCopiedCrocker vs Bradley – R4Crocker is starting to put Bradley on the back foot as he looks to assert his dominance in this fight.Bradley looks like the one who possesses more knockout power, but Crocker is certainly better physically.Copy linkCopiedCrocker vs Bradley – R3Both fighters jabbing and fainting well, but no big shots have landed just yet.Bradley looks the more focused of the two, but will it last 10 rounds?Crocker is the more experienced fighter and will grow into this one as it goes on.Copy linkCopiedCrocker vs Bradley – R2 Crocker lands an uppercut, but only the gloves of Bradley.Bradley hits a neat combination and hurts the champion.The challenger is moving well with the jab, and the crowd is right behind him.Crocker is not quite finding his range early on and leaving himself open.Copy linkCopiedCrocker vs Bradley – R1There goes the bell! The main event of the night is underwayCrocker makes a dominant start, landing multiple jabs to the body of Bradley.The champion is towering over his opponent, with his size making him look like a middleweight.Both are keeping apart in the early stages, but Bradley will need to close the gap as Crocker clearly has the height advantage.Bradley does close the gap as the round ends, as he pins the champion on the ropes and unleashes, but only to the gloves of Crocker.Copy linkCopiedUp next…Ben Crocker will put his European Super Lightweight title on the line against Tiernan Bradley.Can the Swansea-native retain his strap? Copy linkCopiedDillian Whyte next?This was Hughie’s first fight with new promoter Izzy Asif and while it failed to set the pulses racing, it was all part of a warm up for a big one coming on June 27.Asif paid credit to Fury for continuing on with the fight despite entering the ring with an injured hand.He then said: “We think he can mix it with the big boys – he’s going to be in a serious fight on June 27.”It’ll be a 50-50. They can all get it.”We’re talking to top heavyweights in the country.”Asif is then pressed on if Dillian Whyte – who was meant to fight tomorrow night against Joe Joyce but had to withdraw because of injury – is one of the names in the running.”In the next couple of weeks we’ll announce it,” he says.Copy linkCopiedInjured handTrainer Peter Fury revealed that Hughie injured his hand earlier this week, which may have been the reason for the slightly slower paced fight than we may have expected.Peter said: “He’s just got to get rounds. He could’ve stepped through the gears.”But it was a case of relaxing, getting through it. Fair play to Dan Garber.”[Hughie] needs big fights and hopefully he gets them.”He’s only boxing with one hand anyway as he has a problem with it.”He got the rounds, but let’s get the big fights.”[Promoter Izzy Asif] has promised us a big fight on June 27. Let’s get on with it.”Copy linkCopied’Get the rounds in’Speaking after the win, Fury said: “I just wanted to ease back and get the rounds in.”I wanted to get in as many as possible.”It was just about working and getting the right shots in.”Fury was then asked about Dillian Whyte and other potential opponents and said’ “I’m ready for any one of them, if [Dillian Whyte] wants it then sign the contract.”Copy linkCopiedAllen’s thoughtsDave Allen wasn’t impressed by the matchmaking there at all.After earlier calling the fight “completely pointless”, he then questions why he took this fight.Allen says: “He could’ve just hit a heavy bag.”I have no idea where he is right now.”With the level he’s boxed at tonight I don’t know. “I don’t know how much Dillian Whyte has left.”But put him in [with Whyte] and see where he is.”Copy linkCopiedFury vs Garber – R5 – Fury wins!The referee has a long look at Garber in the corner as Allen calls for his corner to throw in the towel.Fury clearly senses blood and very quickly gets on top of his man, unleashing a real volley of shots.Fury then smashes in a left hook to the body that sends Garber to one knee! Credit to Garber for beating the eight count and getting back up.The fight lasts another 20 or so seconds but it’s clear that Garber doesn’t want any more of it and the referee steps in.It’s all over – Fury wins!Copy linkCopied More