Joyce vs Hrgovic: Croatian heavyweight steps in as replacement opponent

British heavyweight Joe Joyce will face replacement opponent Filip Hrgovic on 5 April at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena.

Joyce, 39, was originally scheduled to fight Dillian Whyte before the Londoner withdrew because of an injured hand.

Croatian Hrgovic, 32, suffered a first career defeat in 18 bouts against Daniel Dubois in June.

“It’s a tough fight for both of them,” promoter Frank Warren told Ring Magazine.

“It’s exactly the same fight Joe had against Dillian. The winner goes on and the loser is going to have to think about what he does.”

Both men competed in the super-heavyweight category at the 2012 Olympics, with Joyce winning silver in London and Hrgovic claiming bronze.

Joyce, who beat Hrgovic when they were amateurs in 2013, is at a crossroads in his career. He was stopped twice by Zhilei Zhang in 2023 before losing to Derek Chisora in his last outing last July.

Former cruiserweight world champion Lawrence Okolie has been ruled out of his fight with Richard Riakporhe at heavyweight after suffering an injury in training.

Warren said he is unsure whether Riakporhe – who has also stepped up from cruiserweight – will remain on the card, while undefeated heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma, 20, has been added to the event.