Focused and poised for his next big battle, heavyweight hopeful Filip Hrgovic has his sights set on Joe Joyce, vowing to “knock out” his opponent this Saturday and reestablish himself among the elites. The showdown, a 10-round clash, is set to kick off at 2:00 p.m. Eastern/11:00 a.m. Pacific, streaming live on DAZN from Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena. Expect the fighters’ ring walks around 5:00 p.m. ET.
## A Chilly Greeting
At the press conference face-off, things got tense when Joe Joyce, with a record of 16 wins and 3 losses, refused Hrgovic’s handshake. It’s clear that Joyce, known as ‘The Juggernaut,’ isn’t letting friendship get in the way of business, especially as he understands the high stakes involved. The 39-year-old Joyce has seen tough times recently, dropping three of his last four matches. His latest loss to the seasoned veteran Dereck Chisora has left many questioning his career trajectory, especially after being knocked out twice by Zhilei Zhang, which seems to have dented his self-assurance.
For Hrgovic, there was no strut in his step today. Unlike his usual invincible demeanor, he appeared subdued, likely still feeling the sting from being knocked out by Daniel Dubois last June in Riyadh. “On Saturday, I’m going to knock [Joyce] out and reclaim my place at the top. That’s the plan,” Hrgovic declared with a clear sense of urgency. He knows that losing again would push him out of contention for title bouts, unlike fighters like Chisora who have occasionally landed shots at titles despite setbacks.
## Joyce’s Game Plan
Discussing the impending face-off, Joyce told Ring Magazine, “We’ve got history, but it’s a great fight now. I know precisely what Hrgovic is up to in his training.” This bout with Hrgovic harks back to their clash in 2013’s World Series of Boxing, where Joyce edged out a split decision. Much has changed since then; Joyce isn’t the same lean 230-pounder he once was, having packed on significant bulk.
“I’m well aware of his approach and fighting style,” Joyce noted. “I’ve tailored my camp to counter his tactics and secure a win,” he added, emphasizing his own aspiration to reascend the ranks with this pivotal match. Choosing to face Hrgovic rather than opting for a less challenging opponent after Dillian Whyte dropped out showcases Joyce’s determination to make a statement in the boxing world.
