Joe Joyce vs Filip Hrgovic betting odds and fight predictions
Heavy Impact – Former amateur rivals Joe Joyce and Filip Hrgovic clash on Saturday, April 5, at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, live on DAZN, to reignite a rivalry that first begun over 12 years ago.
Originally, Joyce was due to face fellow Londoner, Dillian Whyte, but ‘The Bodysnatcher’ withdrew with a hand injury. The stand-in opponent from Croatia is, arguably, a harder night’s work for ‘The Juggernaut’.
Both boxers are former no.1 contenders, who come into the fight off the back of a loss, and this crucial clash is a must-win for them each. The winner will be back in contention and the loser could be closing the curtain on their career.
The home fighter, Joyce, is currently the underdog, with the Croatian visitor the favourite at the bookies. But, 12 years ago in 2013, it was Joyce who triumphed over the ‘Animal’ when they locked horns over five rounds at the York Hall in the World Series Boxing tournament.
So, the heavyweights reignite their rivalry after well over a decade, but who wins the rematch? BBN asked their panel of experts for their top tips.
Betting Odds
3/1 Joyce
3/10 Hrgovic
22/1 Draw
Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing
“He had a very close fight with Derek Chisora in his last fight. Without the knockdown, it would have been very close.
“Now Chisora is mandatory for the world title. Joe’s always been slow in the ring. He’s never looked like this sensational, skilled fighter. He’s been extremely tough.
“He can whack, he’s got a great chin, [but] as his career has progressed, the punch resistance has changed. Shots that hurt him against Chisora would never have hurt him before.
“The thousands of rounds of heavy sparring have been a problem. If you want a prediction, he will be well-beaten on Saturday and it will be inside three or four rounds.”
Daniel Dubois, IBF world heavyweight champion
“I think Hrgovic can win it, he’s got a good style, he’s had the time to rebuild so I’m looking forward to it. It’s interesting, is Joe going to come in and maul him? I’m looking forward to it to see what Hrgovic is like now. I heard an interview the other day where he said he’s ready and means business, so we’ll see.”
Abel Sanchez, World champion trainer
“On this one, I believe that Filip Hrgovic will win and look good doing it.”
Steve Wood, VIP Promotions
“Hrgovic points – I feel he will just be too quick for Joyce.”
Oskari Metz, European title contender
“The heavyweight division is looking very interesting. I’ve been a bit out of the loop lately, so I had to catch up on their recent fights. It’s a tough call. In their last four fights, Joyce has come up short against top opposition (Zhang and Chisora), while Hrgovic defeated Zhang (before Zhang went on to beat Joyce) and more recently lost to Dubois, whom Joyce beat some time ago (though I’m not sure 2024 Dubois and 2020 Dubois can even be compared).
“It’s a close one, but I’ll go with the younger Hrgovic. This is another big test for him, and after his loss to Dubois, it’ll be interesting to see how he performs.”
Arijan Goricki, IBO title contender
“Good fight. Both known for pressure with not a lot of movement.
“I’m going with Hrgovic, I think that he is fresher of two and has more to prove now after the loss. I’m going with Hrgovic by UD.”
Tyler Buxton, United Boxing Promotions
“If Hrgović can avoid Joyce’s power and use his technical skills, speed, and defence to dictate the pace of the fight, he could outbox Joyce and earn a win, either by decision or by landing something big late in the fight.
“However, Joyce is always dangerous due to his chin and relentless pressure, so it would be an intriguing clash.
“Hrgovic by late stoppage.”
Tim Rickson, BBN Editor
“Hrgovic is a clear favourite at the bookies, but’s certainly not a foregone conclusion.
“The way I see it as that Hrgovic has the speed and accuracy to land his rangy, swift jabs and one-twos at will on the static target in front of him. Joyce no longer has the same durability he once possessed, so this persistent damage could take its toll in the form of a debilitating injury, like we saw when his right eye closed shut in the first Zhilei Zhang fight or with a knockout, like we saw in the second Zhang fight.
“Or… Joyce will weather the early storm, walk down his man who is known to tire in fights – as early as the fifth and sixth rounds – and force him to fight at a pace and a range that is so uncomfortable that he will be broken down and stopped later on under the relentless pressure, in the second half of the contest.
“Right now, I’m picking Hrgovic to win on points, but that other scenario where Joyce wins is highly possible, in my view, despite what the bookies say.”
Marshall Kaufman, Kings Boxing
“This is a must win for both fighters and I believe that they must make the very best of this second chance that they both are getting.
“I think they both are very strong boxers but both struggle with defense.
“I personally think that Joe Joyce should win this fight if he applies lots of pressure on Hrgovic.
“I pick Joe Joyce in a decision!”
Donald C Stewart, BBN Writer
“This is an intriguing one. I’ve never been a huge Joe Joyce fan. Like most, I have found his come-ahead style with a concrete head slightly difficult to watch, but more importantly, very difficult to credit.
“I think, against Daniel Dubois, he was fortunate and gave us a little bit of a false dawn in terms of assessing his future.
“Filip Hrgovic has always been a dangerous prospect. Not getting himself beyond contender is a little bit of an issue, but I still think he is more dangerous because he has more nuanced approaches to shot-picking than Joyce. And therefore, I might not think, as Eddie Hearn does, that Joe’s going to be done over three or four rounds, but I do think that this doesn’t go beyond the middle rounds and Hrgovic stops him.”
Watch the main event on DAZN from 10pm
