MANCHESTER, ENGLAND -- Joe Joyce reverted to humour when asked about the possibility of retiring minutes after a bruising 10-round decision defeat by Filip Hrgovic, though his promoter Frank Warren found the question anything but funny.

"It wasn't my time this time but erm, we'll do it again! Yeah, are you not entertained?" was the response, having now suffered defeats in four of his last five bouts. This time two years ago, he was approaching Zhilei Zhang fight week with a 15-0 unbeaten record and the WBO interim heavyweight title in tow, having knocked out Joseph Parker seven months earlier.

How things have changed since. Warren said he wanted Joyce (16-4, 15 KOs) to have a long hard think before deciding upon what's next, though described him as a "great servant" for British boxing.

Afterwards, the Hall of Fame promoter told The Ring: "I didn't want to say it publicly but yeah, it's gonna be very tough for him to get back in the mix.

He's been a tremendous and brave servant over the years, was a sterling amateur and Olympic silver medallist - should've been gold - he's got so much courage but needs to have a real sit down. I'll tell him what I think and he'll make a decision as to what he wants to do. One thing about boxing, you get to a certain age and this stuff can catch up to you."

Joyce was hurt on several occasions against Hrgovic, who couldn't miss with his right hand and despite a three-week training camp as Dillian Whyte's replacement, got the job done without being at 100% fitness. The fan favourite told Queensberry's official media channel that he still enjoys it, likening their exhausting encounter to a "tough spar" but also hinted that his team were quiet afterwards, suggesting they'd seen something he hadn't and will eventually watch back when the time is right.

Warren was, like many, surprised Joyce's durability kept him in the fire after a worrying start. As far as legacy is concerned, Joyce might not have achieved full world honours but has still achieved more than most professionals could feasibly aspire to.

"I was actually surprised, when he got caught a few times I thought he was gonna get stopped but took the punches. The crowd love him don't they? He's a lovely bloke, didn't get the decision and I won't kick him while he's down."

Having now avenged an amateur defeat 12 years later in the paid ranks, Hrgovic wants to do the same as a pro and seeks redemption against a hot commodity who watched two former foes ringside.

The Croatian accepted he's still one fight away from the favorable position relinquished in an exhausting eighth-round stoppage defeat by now-IBF heavyweight titleholder Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs).

Warren confirmed Queensberry have an option on his existing deal and will look to match him accordingly in an eliminator, with the 32-year-old's new head coach Abel Sanchez telling The Ring he expects a 10-week camp and to be back by September at the latest.

Whyte, originally slated to face Joyce before a freak hand injury struck, is an option while Moses Itauma - who returns against an opponent TBC in Glasgow on May 24 - is also a possibility.

Heading into this contest, Hrgovic was ranked No. 6 with the IBF, #7 with the WBA and #9 by the WBC but has now won the WBO's International title - previously held by Martin Bakole, Joyce, Whyte and Dubois in recent years.