Tensions escalated at the final press conference for the Joe Joyce vs. Filip Hrgovic fight when a heated exchange between undercard fighters erupted into chaos.
The confrontation between two heavyweights overshadowed discussions at the press conference of the main event, where Hrgovic stepped in to replace the injured Dillian Whyte and Joyce sought to revitalize his career following a series of challenging bouts, including a points loss to Derek Chisora and stoppages by Zhilei Zhang in 2023.
Hrgovic, previously unbeaten in 17 fights, aimed to capitalize on this opportunity after his first professional loss to Daniel Dubois in June 2024.
Main Event: Joyce’s Comeback Bid Against Hrgović
The highly anticipated main event, held on April 5, 2025, at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, United Kingdom, pitted two heavyweights eager to rebound from recent setbacks. Joe “The Juggernaut” Joyce (16-3, 15 KOs) entered the ring facing significant pressure, having suffered a challenging run of results. Prior to this bout, Joyce had endured two devastating stoppage losses to Zhilei Zhang in 2023; first a sixth-round technical knockout in April, followed by a third-round knockout in their September rematch. His most recent outing before facing Hrgovic was a unanimous decision loss to veteran Derek Chisora in July 2024, further complicating his path back to world-level contention.
Filip “El Animal” Hrgovic (17-1, 14 KOs) also had a point to prove. The Croatian contender, a 2016 Olympian, had seen his previously unblemished professional record marred by a technical knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in the eighth round of their IBF interim heavyweight title fight in June 2024. This marked his first professional defeat after 17 consecutive wins. Hrgovic’s inclusion in the main event came after Dillian Whyte withdrew due to a finger injury, setting the stage for a compelling clash between two fighters desperate to reassert their dominance in the heavyweight division. Interestingly, Joyce and Hrgovic had a history, having previously met in a five-round amateur bout in 2013, which Joyce won by split decision.
Jeamie TKV Launches Table Ahead of David Adeleye Title Fight
During the press conference, British heavyweights David Adeleye and Jeamie TKV, set to compete for the vacant British heavyweight title, engaged in a verbal altercation.
The dispute intensified as both fighters exchanged barbs, such as David Adeleye saying to TKV:
“After talkSPORT, you and your boys were out there waiting for me, I walked up to every one of you and you were smiling at me.”
The altercation reached its boiling point when TKV, frustrated with David Adeleye’s words, flipped his table, and the pair were separated by security before a physical fight could occur.
Undercard Rivalry: Adeleye and TKV’s Paths to the British Title
The heated exchange between David Adeleye and Jeamie TKV underscored the high stakes of their co-main event clash for the vacant British heavyweight title. Fabio Wardley had recently vacated the Lonsdale belt, opening the door for a new champion.
Adeleye (13-1, 12 KOs) came into the fight with a formidable professional record, his sole defeat having been a seventh-round technical knockout against Fabio Wardley in October 2023. He had since rebounded impressively with a first-round technical knockout victory over Solomon Dacres in December 2024, securing the English heavyweight title and demonstrating his potent knockout power. Jeamie TKV (8-1, 5 KOs), aiming to make a significant mark on the British heavyweight scene, also brought a strong record, with his single professional loss being due to a cut against Igor Macedo in September 2023. TKV had recently captured the IBO International heavyweight title by stopping Michael Webster in February 2025, setting up this crucial domestic showdown.
Aftermath and Implications: The Fights Unfold
On fight night, April 5, 2025, both main and co-main events delivered on their promise of drama and intensity. In the main event, Filip Hrgovic defeated Joe Joyce via unanimous decision after ten rounds. The judges’ scorecards read 97-93, 96-95, and 98-92 in favor of the Croatian, who also claimed the vacant WBO International heavyweight title. Hrgovic improved his professional record to 18-1 (14 KOs) with the victory. For Joe Joyce, the loss marked his fourth defeat in his last five fights, bringing his record to 16-4 (15 KOs), prompting questions about the future direction of his career.
The undercard clash for the British heavyweight title between David Adeleye and Jeamie TKV proved to be as contentious as its build-up. Adeleye secured a controversial sixth-round technical knockout victory over TKV. The stoppage occurred after Adeleye landed a shot on TKV following two “break” calls from referee Ron Kearney during a clinch. TKV was visibly hurt and subsequently stopped, leading to immediate protests. Post-fight, TKV stated, “The referee said ‘break’ and he got me.” Adeleye, while celebrating his win, acknowledged the contentious nature, remarking, “It’s funny I lost the Wardley fight in the exact same way… I got caught on the clinch and the referee stopped it. You know what they say, swings and roundabouts.” The British Boxing Board of Control subsequently ordered an immediate rematch due to the controversial nature of the stoppage.
However, the rematch between Adeleye and TKV did not occur as initially ordered. Jeamie TKV later got a second shot at the vacant British heavyweight title, facing Frazer Clarke on November 29, 2025, a bout he won by split decision to become the new champion. David Adeleye, after his controversial win
