Joe Joyce vs. Filip Hrgovic Predictions – ‘We Knock Him Out’
Boxing insiders gave their predictions on Joe Joyce vs. Filip Hrgovic’s heavyweight clash this weekend.
Joyces lost to Derek Chisora the last time out, taking his record to three losses from his previous four bouts. Those losses reduced his chances of securing a title shot, as he was no longer the WBO Interim Heavyweight Champion. Joyce is 39-years-old, raising suggestions that if he loses he could retire. Hyrgovic also has a lot to prove to remind everyone of his world-title credentials. He suffered the first loss of his career when he boxed Daniel Dubois in his last bout, getting stopped in the process. Here is how boxing insiders saw the fight playing out.
Joyce Vs. Hrgovic
“Joe has always been slow in the ring, he’s never looked like this sensational skilled fighter. In the past he’s been extremely tough, he can whack, he’s a big lump, he’s got a great chin. As his career has progressed the punch resistance has changed. Shots from Chisora that hurt him would never have hurt him before, the two Zhang defeats, thousands of rounds of sparring have been a problem. If you want a prediction he will get well beaten on Saturday and it will be inside three or four rounds, I think,” Eddie Hearn
“I think Hrgovic can win it, he’s got a good style. He’s had the time to rebuild, so I’m looking forward to it. “It’s interesting, is Joe going to come in and maul him? I’m looking forward to it to see what Hrgovic is like now. I heard an interview the other day where he said he’s ready and means business, so we’ll see,” Daniel Dubois
“It’s a fight, it’s a no-lose situation for him [Hrgovic]. The guy that loses might as well think about a different job. But for my guy [Hrgovic], I think he’s younger, I think he’s quicker, I think he’s a better puncher. And we had enough time in the gym so that I can see what his possibilities are and capabilities are. I know what Joe has — I was with Joe for a year — so I know what he’s going to bring.
“But I don’t think they know what my guy’s going to bring. I think he’s in great shape. We’ve been sparring, we had great sparring in camp — two weeks of very good sparring, three different guys, most days ten rounds. So it’s not going to be about shape. It’s going to be about whether we can get to Joe and we can clip him. If we can clip him and hurt him, then I think we knock him out. But if we don’t, then it’s going to be a very interesting ten-round fight,” Abel Sanchez said
“Hrgovic looked really bad against Dubois, but I think this fight was made more for him. It feels like a re-entry fight against a name opponent who’s probably past his best. If Hrgovic gets a good win here, he could slide back into the heavyweight mix, at least to some degree. I think Hrgovic probably beats Joyce. If Joyce gets stopped again, it might be time to consider pulling the plug on his career. Just my opinion,” Paulie Malignaggi stated
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