Heavyweight prospect (over 90.7 kg) from Croatia Filip Hrgovic (14-0, 12 KOs) gave
interview for a boxing blog from Britain.
Hrgovic will participate in the undercard of the big boxing evening in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), the main event of which will be a rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua. In an interview, Philip spoke about his opponent, Chinese Zhang Zhilei (23-0-1, 18 KOs), commented on the Usyk-Joshua rematch, spoke about the WBC champion from Britain Tyson Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) and the return of the former champion from the USA Deontay Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs).
– Finally, the final IBF eliminator between you and Zhang Zhilei will take place next week on the Usyk-Joshua rematch undercard. How do you feel, because your fight has finally crossed the line?
“I feel good, in anticipation. Waited for a long time. I myself do not believe that this fight will eventually take place. Everything is fine.
You are both unbeatable fighters, what do you think of him?
I consider him a good fighter. Like you said, he’s undefeated, he’s had a great amateur career, he’s southpaw, a big guy, he’s got pretty fast hands for a big fighter. I consider him a good opponent, a good big test for me at this stage of my career.
– Why do you think you are so much bypassed in the heavyweight division?
– There are several reasons. The first reason is the right straight line. The second reason is the left hook. [смеётся]. I’m just kidding. Of course, I think everyone knows that I am dangerous and will put up a tough fight for anyone. The second reason is that I am not such a big box office fighter at this stage of my career, so anyone who wants to make money will not make it with me, even though I will be a difficult opponent for anyone.
– If you win, you will become the mandatory contender for the belt owned by Usyk. Usyk has a big rematch with Joshua ahead. How do you think this fight will go?
“It will be a great fight. They are both really motivated. I think we can expect a great fight. I don’t know how it will go. If I become a mandatory challenger, I also have many other scenarios. We have Fury, we have a lot of other fighters. I don’t know what will happen when I become a mandatory challenger, but it is important for me to put myself in line and wait for my chance.
- I feel like Joshua will beat Usyk – Tyson Fury’s father
– And if you would need to make a prediction for the Usyk-Joshua fight, do you think it will pass?
– I dont know. I think Joshua will be much better now. I think he didn’t have such a good fight last time. He just didn’t start throwing his punches. I think he will be better. But, of course, Usyk will also be better, because he has already defeated him, and he is fighting not only for himself, but for his entire country. Therefore, I think we will see a great fight. Sure, Usyk has the advantage in this fight because he’s already beaten him, but Joshua can’t be written off. He’s a big puncher, he’s a dangerous fighter.
– We recently saw a video of Usyk working on a heavy bag. We saw how it swelled up, its size increased. Do you think this will be positive or negative for Usyk, especially given the way he fights?
I haven’t seen this video and I don’t know how much weight he put on for this fight but I think he doesn’t need to put on weight for this fight. I think he should stay the way he was. That’s his fighting style – he’s fast, he throws a lot of punches. I think he should stay the same weight. This is my opinion, but I don’t know. Maybe these are filters. Maybe it’s not true.
How would you fight Usyk or Joshua?
“I want to fight them. I feel like I’m ready for anything. Let’s see what happens. As I said, there are many different scenarios. Let’s see. But I’m ready for anything.
- Usyk gained 15 kg, says Amir Khan – and praises the Ukrainian
Tyson Fury is trying to force a third fight on us against Derek Chisora. Is this the fight we want to see again given how compelling the second fight was?
— No, I do not see and do not understand this duel. It does not make sense. Fury beat him convincingly twice. I have no idea why he wants to fight Chisora, but you never know. This is Tyson Fury. He says one day – one thing, the next day – another. Let’s see. But he definitely needs to continue his career and seek unification of titles with the winner of the Usyk-Joshua fight.
There are rumors about the return of Deontay Wilder and his fight with Helenius in October. You sparred with Wilder in 2013. First of all, do you want to see him return?
– Of course. It’s good for boxing. He’s a former champion, a big puncher, he brings a lot of spectacle to the division. I think he needs to keep fighting if he’s in good health. Whoever he fights is a big fight because he’s a big puncher.
What was it like sparring with him?
— I acted really well, but at that time I was still a kid. I was about 19-20 years old. So now I’m much better.
- Fury accused Chisora of trying to disrupt the fight, he has already responded