Croatian prospect Filip Hrgovic (14-0, 12 KOs) and Chinese bumpkin Zhang Zhilei (23-0-1, 18 KOs) will still determine the official contender for the IBF heavyweight title. Their fight, which was previously scheduled for May 7 in the United States as an opening act for Canelo and Bivol, will also take place as an opening act, but for the top heavyweights of the planet.
The confrontation, according to Philip’s new coach Ronnie Shields, will be the main support of the rematch between IBF champion Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) and Anthony Joshua.
In other words, a Chinese and a Croat will punch each other in the face on August 20 in the sands of Saudi Arabia.
Gassiev pulls out of fight with Hrgovic
“I am very pleased with what I see now from Philip,” said the coach. “He’s going to be a big, big problem for the entire division.”
The British boxing veteran, by the way, believes that a brain transplant is needed to defeat Usyk Joshua.
