Joe Joyce and Filip Hrgovic are each searching for the kind of victory that will boost his standing toward heavyweight title contention.
They’ll each look to rebound from a loss when they clash Saturday night at Co-op Live in Manchester, United Kingdom, live and exclusively on DAZN.
30% discount sale: UK customers buy a DAZN annual subscription for just £83.99 (from £119.99) to watch over 185 fights per year. That's just £1.61 per week.
Joyce (16-3, 15 KOs) suffered a unanimous decision upset loss to an older Derek Chisora in July, while Hrgovic (17-1, 14 KOs) experienced his first pro defeat as he was stopped by Daniel Dubois in June.
With the stakes high, DAZN News analyzes the keys to victory for each fighter heading into this pivotal bout.
Joe Joyce’s keys to victory
(Queensberry)
Walk Hrgovic down
Joyce’s boxing style can appear slow but it is more deliberate as he walks his opponents down — where he is at his best.
Daniel Dubois, in handing Hrgovic his sole pro loss last June, showed that smothering the Croatian can pay dividends.
Joyce would be wise to follow that blueprint and has the fighting tools to do so.
He must make it a point to walk Hrgovic down as the aggressor.
Trap Hrgovic against ropes, in corners
Once Joyce knows that he can walk Hrgovic down effectively, it is up to the 39-year-old to trap the Croatian heavyweight against the ropes and into corners, all while unleashing those heavy-handed shots.
That puts Joyce in the best position to get back into the win column after losing three of his past four fights.
Unload, while anticipating the counter right hand
Joyce can find himself in trouble if he gets too lax.
This happened when he abandoned his guard late against Derek Chisora and wound up tasting the canvas en route to a loss.
Such a quandary can develop if Joyce unloads those heavy shots but does not anticipate a counter right from Hrgovic who throws the punch efficiently with pop.
It is imperative that Joyce unloads his offense but is cautious about return fire.
Filip Hrgovic’s keys to victory
Assert quick right hand
Joyce can be susceptible to a quick right hand which is a key component in Hrgovic’s wheelhouse of skills.
The Croatian heavyweight throws the shot with piston-like speed and enough power to demand Joyce’s respect or damage the British fighter altogether.
He must look to assert this weapon during the early stages of this fight.
Piece together combinations
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Once that right hand finds a home, it is up to Hrgovic to start piecing together offense behind it.
The more he can stun the bigger Joyce, the more this fight will point to his favor on the scorecards in the case the bout goes the distance.
Stay off the ropes
Against Dubois, Hrgovic learned the perils of staying on the ropes or getting trapped in the corners.
He cannot afford to find himself in such precarious positions against another heavy-handed knockout artist like Joyce.
That means peppering Joyce with the rapid-fire right, whether it comes as a counterpunch or not, piecing together some combinations behind it and slipping out of harm’s way.
He does this efficiently and Hrgovic could very well hand Joyce his fourth loss in his last five fights.
Sign up to a DAZN subscription to watch the very best boxing
DAZN is the home of combat sports, broadcasting over 185 fights a year from the world's best promoters, including Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC, GLORY and more.
Right now, until April 7, 2025, for UK customers an Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of just £83.99 in the United Kingdom, reduced from £119.99. That's just £1.61 per week .
In the US, an Annual Saver subscription is $224.99 as a one-off cost. There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month.
It is not just about fight night, a DAZN membership also includes access to documentaries and features, weekly magazine shows, live fight watchalongs, press conferences, weight-ins, open workouts, exclusive interviews and access to training camps, and podcasts and vodcasts.
For pricing in your country, more information and to sign up click here .