Joe Joyce breaks silence on retirement question after 10-round defeat by Filip Hrgovic – with Brit, 39, suffering fourth loss in five bouts

• Joe Joyce, now 39, has lost three interim title bouts in his previous five fights 
• He suffered a defeat to Filip Hrgovic on points in Manchester on Saturday night

By LUKE POWER

Joe Joyce insists he will fight on despite swirling questions around his future.

The Juggernaut suffered another loss on Saturday night as Filip Hrgovic scored a unanimous points victory to lift the vacant WBO International heavyweight title after 10 enthralling rounds in Manchester.

It means that Joyce, who turns 40 in September, has lost four of his last five bouts. 

Two of those were against Zhilei Zhang for the WBO interim heavyweight title – which he previously held – while he was also defeated by Derek Chisora last July.  

He faces mounting questions over his future and, after his loss to Hrgovic, DAZN asked him if he still felt he had something to bring to boxing. 

‘Yeah,’ he said. ‘Are you not entertained?

Joe Joyce hinted that he intends to fight on despite suffering fourth loss in five fights

The 39-year-old was beaten by Filip Hrgovic on points in Manchester on Saturday night

The Juggernaut has lost three interim title fights in his last five bouts, but wants to entertain

‘It was a good fight, it was tough and he’s a great fighter.’

However, his promoter Frank Warren cut a more cautious figure. 

‘He has got to go and have a really serious think about his future, which is what he will do,’ said Warren, 73. 

‘He’s been a brilliant servant to British boxing, he is never in a boring fight and is tough as old boots.

‘He did us proud in the Olympic Games, silver medallist and should have had the gold. Let him think about it.’

Joyce was supposed to face off against Dillian Whyte in an all-British showdown. 

However, Whyte pulled out of their April 5 bout after crushing his finger between weights, with Mail Sport exclusively revealing how he suffered a cut down to the bone that also caused nerve damage. 

Queensberry Promotions wasted no time in trying to find a replacement and lined up Hrgovic, who triumphed 98-92, 96-95 and 97-93.

Promoter Frank Warren said his star must have a ‘really serious think about his future’

Joyce (left) and Hrgovic (second right) both claimed medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics

Joyce and Hrgovic competed at the 2016 Olympics in Rio in the super-heavyweight division, and both finished the Games on the podium.

Hrgovic secured a bronze medal after losing his semi-final to France’s Tony Yoka, while Joyce went one step further to claim silver before he was also beaten by Yoka.

Joyce could have chosen an easier opponent than Hrgovic after Whyte’s withdrawal, but instead insisted on fighting another world-level contender. 

The pair also had personal history after fighting one another in the amateurs in 2013 at York Hall, with Joyce emerging victorious via split decision.

Hrgovic has got his revenge and his career is back on track after he suffered his first professional loss against Daniel Dubois in June 2024.

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Joe Joyce breaks silence on retirement question after 10-round defeat by Filip Hrgovic – with Brit, 39, suffering fourth loss in five bouts

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