Dillian Whyte was initially set to make his long-awaited return to UK soil on April 5 at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, taking on Olympic silver medalist Joe Joyce in a heavyweight clash. But the showdown in Manchester just got a twist. Dillian Whyte is out with an injury, and stepping in to save the event is. Some are calling this an even better matchup for Joe Joyce, who is desperate to end a rough stretch after three losses – the latest to Derek Chisora.
Hrgovic, 32, is young and experienced, despite being stopped by Daniel Dubois in his last fight. Many still rank the Croatian near the top of the heavyweight scene, so this bout presents a serious risk for Joyce. The question is, how much does “The Juggernaut” have left in the tank at age 39? We’ll find out when Hrgovic, seven years younger, tries to hand him another defeat.
The co-feature that night should have pit former WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie against Richard Riakporhe in a showdown of London rivals, but now it won't happen as Lawrence Okolie reportedly got an injury.
Fans in Manchester will also see English heavyweight champion David Adeleye (13-1, 12 KOs) take on Jeamie TKV (6-0-1, 5 KOs). Adeleye recently rebounded from his only defeat with a blistering first-round stoppage win, while TKV forced Michael Webster out after nine rounds in his most recent bout. Rounding out the night, 2024 Paris Olympian Delicious Orie will make his professional debut, adding another layer of intrigue to an already stacked event.
Fight card:
▪️Joe Joyce vs. Filip Hrgovic, 10 rounds, heavyweight
▪️David Adeleye vs. Jeamie Tshikeva, 10 rounds, heavyweight
▪️Jack Rafferty vs. Cory O’Regan, 12 rounds, for Rafferty’s Commonwealth junior welterweight title
▪️Delicious Orie vs. Milos Veletic, 4 rounds, heavyweight
▪️Mark Chamberlain vs. Miguel Angel Scaringi, 8 rounds, junior welterweight
▪️Khaleel Majid vs. Alex Murphy, 10 rounds, junior welterweight
▪️Juergen Uldedaj vs. TBA, 10 rounds, cruiserweight
▪️Royston Barney-Smith vs. Cesar Paredes, 8 rounds, junior lightweight
▪️Nelson Birchall vs. Rodrigo Matias Areco, 6 rounds, featherweight
▪️Ramtin Musah vs. Robbie Chapman, 4 rounds, super middleweight
▪️Alfie Middlemiss vs. Alexander Morales, 4 rounds, featherweight
▪️Louis Szeto vs. Nabil Ahmed, 4 rounds, bantamweight
