Filip Hrgovic: Croatian heavyweight contender wants to showcase his world champion title on Joshua-Usyk bottom card | Boxing News
Filip Hrgovic says his heavyweights are swapping him and he’s waiting for a chance to show off his world championship title proof against some of the biggest names in the league.
The Croatian returns to the ring for the first time since December 2021 after Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday 20 August as he faces China’s Zhilei Zhang in the final elimination match. to win the IBF crown.
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It was a fight that was played out on the Canelo Alvarez-Dmitry Bivol card in May before being pushed back after Hrgovic’s father passed away.
Before that, there were well-documented problems in finding an opponent willing to take on the 30-year-old. That’s despite the prospect of a hit at Usyk’s IBF belt.
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“Sure [people avoid me]”, Hrgovic told Sky Sports. A lot of people don’t want to fight me. I had a great chance to be the mandatory opponent of the IBF so a lot of people turned down the fight and one of the reasons was that I was dangerous and everyone knew they would have a hard time fighting me.
“Another reason is probably that I don’t put a lot of weight on money like some other guys from the UK or the US.
“But I’m going to go to the top, hopefully I’ll become mandatory and no one in the future can avoid me anymore. I’m just waiting for my chance to let the big names and big games show. I am the best.”
Filip Hrgovic has a 14-0 undefeated record, with 12 of them coming through knockout
Hrgovic, 3rd in the IBF standings, took his time and built an undefeated 14-0 (12 KOs) record for a spot among the elite.
The Olympic bronze medalist may appreciate why the top games may not have landed on his doorstep, but insists he just needs a chance to prove why. Why does he want more recognition?
“When I become a mandatory opponent, I think it will be easier for the opponent to confront me because everyone who beats me, if they beat me, they know that they are becoming mandatory,” he said. speak.
Hrgovic won a bronze medal for Croatia at the 2016 Rio Olympics
“I think this fight, if I win, will change a lot of things and it will be easier for me. I come from a small country, don’t have a big TV and a big market, so I know I’m harder. people from. England or America.”
He’s ambitious and confident, but realistic about the position he finds himself in, admitting that there are fights to be fought between groups of chasers while he pursues his master’s leaders. group.
Apart from August 20 in Saudi Arabia, he is very open to business.
“I want to fight all the best boxers of this era,” he added. “I want to fight everyone, starting with guys like (Martin) Bakole or (Joe) Joyce, or Frank Sanchez, and then Joshua, Wilder, Usyk. Of course, I want to fight them all. chief.
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“I really like all the tough games, I hope they happen in the next five years.
“The best years of my career are ahead. This is just the warm-up. I hope all these big battles happen.”
Bakole boosted his own shares in May when he beat Olympic champion Tony Yoka, who has long been linked with a fight against Hrgovic that never materialized due to contractual arrangements to counter Hrgovic. face the ex.
Meanwhile, the upcoming clash between Joseph Parker and Joe Joyce offers another avenue of interest for Hrgovic.
“Of course it’s a great fight and facing the winner would be great,” he said. “I think we’re all promising, you have a few that are considered the best like Fury, Usyk, Joshua, but all the rest, we need to fight each other to get good things. for a chance to fight for a world title.
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“There are a lot of prospects and good fighters, we need to fight each other. A lot of people find a way to avoid tough matches and get a big payday and that’s it. I want to fight with all these good people.”
The focus now remains on dangerous Zhang, the 39-year-old looking to extend his own 24-0-1 unbeaten run after knocking out Scott Alexander in the first round in May.
“I think he’s a really good opponent, I take him very seriously,” Hrgovic said. “He’s had a great amateur career, he’s undefeated in the professional world, he’s male, he’s big, he’s got quick hands, but I think I’m a different kind of animal, you know. are not?
“It’s going to be difficult for him to deal with my aggression and speed and footwork, but I think he’s a good fighter.”
China’s Zhilei Zhang awaits Hrgovic under Joshua-Usyk .’s muscle
In the Joshua-Uysk II warm-up, a nearly two-year title elimination in the competition provides Hrgovic with a platform to make a statement.
“It’s a big stage, a big event, and can’t wait to go there and fight,” he said. “You need to have all the segments, all the tools to play your best and I think I have enough strength, good speed, forefoot, good defense, good chin.
“I think I have a really good ability to be the best one day. Good technique, good pace, I throw a lot of punches for a big man.
“I think I have all the possibilities and I hope to show that in the future.”
Anthony Joshua’s massive heavyweight rematch with Oleksandr Usyk takes place on Saturday, August 20, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Pre-order Usyk vs Joshua 2 now
