Philip hopes beating Joe will 'get him back on top'
Filip Hrgovic, photo – Getty Images
Croatian boxer Filip Hrgovic (17-1, 14 KO) shared his opinion about the upcoming fight with former WBO interim title holder Joe Joyce (16-3, 15 KO), and at the same time wrote an unflattering description of his opponent.
“He's slow as fog. Your next nickname could be 'Fog': Joe 'Fog' Joyce… He's very slow. I don't know how he's going to knock me out. But, listen, we'll see on Saturday. He's a good fighter, a brave man, and so am I. It's going to be a good fight for sure.”
“I took the fight with only a few weeks to prepare. But I was already in good shape, so I accepted the challenge. I think it's a good opportunity for me, and hopefully this win will put me back on top. I'm looking forward to winning on Saturday, knocking him out and getting back on top. The motivation is great, of course. As Frank Warren said, the loser is in a very bad position. I don't want to lose.”
Read also: Joyce: I will beat Hrgovic and then return to the top of boxing
Let us recall that Joyce was originally supposed to fight former interim world heavyweight champion Dillian Whyte (31-3, 21 KOs), but the latter suffered an injury in early March, due to which he withdrew from the fight. Joyce's representatives quickly agreed on a fight with Hrgovic. The fight will take place on the night from Saturday, April 5, to Sunday. The venue will be the Co-Op Live arena in Manchester.
On March 1, Joyce was supposed to fight German Patrick Corte, but the Briton pulled out. At the end of July 2024, Joe lost to Derek Chisora by unanimous decision. The fight took place at the O2 Arena in London. For Joyce, this defeat was the third in his last four fights.
Hrgovic had his last fight in June last year. Filip lost by knockout to Daniel Dubois in the eighth round and failed to win the title of “interim” IBF champion.