03-22-2022, 05:32 PM
Hrgovic: I will break Zhang down and beat him
The IBF had to go through their rankings all the way to #13 Zhilei Zhang to find an opponent for #3 Filip Hrgovic to fight in a world heavyweight title final eliminator to name the mandatory challenger for the IBF world title held by Oleksandr Usyk.
“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for more than year,” said Hrgovic. “Finally, I have an opponent willing to face me for the chance to fight for the IBF world title. So many fighters turned down this challenge so credit to Zhang for being brave enough to accept. I know he’s a good opponent. He won silver at the Olympics so that means he’s a good boxer, but he is too slow on his feet and I believe I have the better qualities. My speed, stamina, and footwork will be too much for him. I will break him down and I will beat him. I’m now only one fight away from my dream of boxing for a world title and nothing is going to stop me.”
The bout will take place May 7 on the Canelo-Bivol PPV card in Las Vegas. “Canelo is the face of boxing and I’m excited to get this opportunity on such a big show,” added Hrgović. “I’m ready to show the whole world that ‘El Animal’ is coming!”
Zhang commented, “I am very happy that this fight is going to happen. I’ve been waiting on an opportunity – now it’s here and I’m not going to let it pass. When no one else from the top 15 wanted to face Hrgovic, I told myself that I had to do it for me, and for the sport of boxing. This is the most important fight of my whole career. I’m all in. Don’t miss it!”
The IBF had to go through their rankings all the way to #13 Zhilei Zhang to find an opponent for #3 Filip Hrgovic to fight in a world heavyweight title final eliminator to name the mandatory challenger for the IBF world title held by Oleksandr Usyk.
“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for more than year,” said Hrgovic. “Finally, I have an opponent willing to face me for the chance to fight for the IBF world title. So many fighters turned down this challenge so credit to Zhang for being brave enough to accept. I know he’s a good opponent. He won silver at the Olympics so that means he’s a good boxer, but he is too slow on his feet and I believe I have the better qualities. My speed, stamina, and footwork will be too much for him. I will break him down and I will beat him. I’m now only one fight away from my dream of boxing for a world title and nothing is going to stop me.”
The bout will take place May 7 on the Canelo-Bivol PPV card in Las Vegas. “Canelo is the face of boxing and I’m excited to get this opportunity on such a big show,” added Hrgović. “I’m ready to show the whole world that ‘El Animal’ is coming!”
Zhang commented, “I am very happy that this fight is going to happen. I’ve been waiting on an opportunity – now it’s here and I’m not going to let it pass. When no one else from the top 15 wanted to face Hrgovic, I told myself that I had to do it for me, and for the sport of boxing. This is the most important fight of my whole career. I’m all in. Don’t miss it!”