A disturbing yet hopefully inconsequential pattern has emerged with Queensberry Promotions’ upcoming April 5th show as Lawrence Okolie (21-1, 16 KO’s) has become the second fighter to withdraw from the card. The upcoming Queensberry show, which was set to feature a headlining heavyweight (200+ lbs) bout between Dillian Whyte (31-3, 21 KO’s) and Joe Joyce (16-3, 15 KO’s), first saw Whyte pull out of his fight with Joyce after suffering from an injury, later confirmed to be a finger injury.

According to BoxingScene, Okolie has become the second victim to an identical injury, putting him out of his bout against fellow Brit and rival Richard Riakporhe (17-1, 13 KO’s). The two were also scheduled for a heavyweight bout in a fight that would mark Riakporhe’s debut as a heavyweight while further featuring Okolie’s second match in the division.

With the Okolie-Riakporhe match arguably forming one of the main attractions of the card due to their standing in the sport and rivalry, the Queensberry card threatened to be downgraded when it comes to its attractiveness as an event.

However, despite two withdrawals of reputable names, Queensberry founder and head Frank Warren confirmed Croatian contender Filip Hrgovic (17-1, 14 KO’s) as a substitute for Whyte earlier today. Hrgovic, who was considered top contender prior to a stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois last year, has a shared history with Joyce, having competed in the same Olympics as the British fighter during the 2016 Rio Olympics. Both Hrgovic and Joyce were [controversially] eliminated in the semi-final and final round respectively of the competition by French heavyweight Tony Yoka (13-3, 11 KO’s).

Joyce and Hrgovic also competed against each other in the amateurs, with their only recorded match culminating in a split-decision (SD) win for Hrgovic.

Budding British heavyweight contender Moses Itauma (11-0, 9 KO’s) is also expected to be added to the upcoming April 5th card, set to be held at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester.