British heavyweight Joe Joyce will face alternative opponent Filip Hrgovic on 5 April at Manchester’s Co-op Stay enviornment.
Joyce, 39, was initially scheduled to combat Dillian Whyte earlier than the Londoner withdrew due to an injured hand.
Croatian Hrgovic, 32, suffered a primary profession defeat in 18 bouts in opposition to Daniel Dubois in June.
“It is a powerful combat for each of them,” promoter Frank Warren instructed Ring Journal.
“It is precisely the identical combat Joe had in opposition to Dillian. The winner goes on and the loser goes to have to consider what he does.”
Each males competed within the super-heavyweight class on the 2012 Olympics, with Joyce successful silver in London and Hrgovic claiming bronze.
Joyce, who beat Hrgovic after they have been amateurs in 2013, is at a crossroads in his profession. He was stopped twice by Zhilei Zhang in 2023 earlier than shedding to Derek Chisora in his final outing final July.
Former cruiserweight world champion Lawrence Okolie has been dominated out of his combat with Richard Riakporhe at heavyweight after struggling an harm in coaching.
Warren stated he’s uncertain whether or not Riakporhe – who has additionally stepped up from cruiserweight – will stay on the cardboard, whereas undefeated heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma, 20, has been added to the occasion.
