The heavyweight division is full of feared contenders, but one man, with a controversial win over a thundering knockout artist, once seemed destined to win it all.
In boxing, there are many fighters fans love to call ‘boogeymen’, feared contenders who often end up being exposed as not that fearful.
Arslanbek Makhmudov was one of these, branded a KO artist ready to take on champions by some, he was stopped by Agit Kabayel and then again by Guido Vianello.
Martin Bakole is another example. The Congolese warrior lost Michael Hunter years ago, and, albeit in bad condition at the time, was stopped by Joseph Parker in two rounds.
Unfortunately, this Croatian boogeyman was also beaten, badly, but his win over ‘Big Bang’ Zhilei Zhang is testament that he is no fraud.
Filip Hrgovic claimed he would retire if he lost to this man
Filip Hrgovic had just two decision victories by the time of his fifteenth fight, and was touted by many as a world-level fighter. Hrgovic is rumored to be the man responsible for David Haye’s cut that left him unable to fight Tyson Fury, who admits Anthony Joshua beat him up in sparring.
And in his fifteenth fight, Hrgovic proved his mettle, becoming the first man to defeat Zhilei Zhang, who Kabayel stopped recently, on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk 2.
Whilst many believe the decision was the wrong one, Hrgovic’s ability to stand up to Zhang’s shots alone has proved impressive, as Joseph Parker was put down, and Deontay Wilder and Joe Joyce were knocked out with those same shots.
Hrgovic’s next fight saw him take on Daniel Dubois for the IBF interim title. Hrgovic and Dubois, who may rematch Usyk, had sparred before, and Dubois admitted Hrgovic got the better of him.
Hrgovic said of the spar: “He was destroyed. […] I didn’t stop him, but he received a lot of punishment. […] He couldn’t deal with my pressure and with my speed and with my intelligence.”
Hrgovic was so confident of a victory that he even said: “I retire if I lose to f—— Dubois […] If I lose to him obviously I’m not the best.”
Unfortunately for Hrgovic, that is exactly what happened, as the Croatian was stopped in his fight with Dubois on doctor’s advice after cuts appeared over both eyes. He has not fought since.
Filip Hrgovic shuns retirement and returns against ‘The Juggernaut’ in April
Despite suggesting retirement was on the cards, Hrgovic is set to to return on April 5th in Queensberry’s first show with DAZN.
Joe Joyce was originally set to face Dillian Whyte in what may be the final fight of his career after back-to-back losses to Zhang and a recent loss to Derek Chisora, but Whyte withdrew from the Joyce fight due to a hand injury.
Hrgovic has now stepped in as a replacement in a must-win fight for both men.