The first details on the supporting cast for the massive rematch of the United Heavyweight World Title between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua have now been confirmed. Competitors will lock horns again in the coastal city of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Saturday, August 20.
Obstructed Croatian heavyweight star Filip Hrgovic (14-0, 12 KOs) meets China’s unbeaten Zhilei Zhang (24-0-1, 19 KOs) in the Finals elimination match for the World Heavyweight Title IBF. The original opponents were set to clash under Canelo Alvarez vs. Dmitry Bivol in May but will now fight on the Red Sea.
Hrgovic comes in at 3rd in the IBF rankings and the huge hit giant has been hunting for a dance partner for the showdown to select the mandatory challenger for the title held by Ukraine’s Usyk. The 30-year-old Olympic bronze medalist made it through a deadly round through the professional levels to sit in the top spot for a well-deserved shot at the grand prix, finishing all but two matches. of him in the distance, and failed to get past fifth laps in his last seven outings.
I respect a fighter like Zhilei Zhang, especially because there are so many other people who can fight me but can’t. The respect is still outside the ring, and it will be normal for me to go in there and find a way to do what I do best; Hrgovic said.
“There is a huge amount at stake in this war. I am a top boxer of this tournament, and there will be no doubt about this when Zhang is dealt with and I will continue to beat anyone but Usyk or Joshua. “
He continued, “I am entering my prime, and now is the perfect time to take on the top fighters in this tournament. I will be the heavyweight champion of the world.”
A series of heavyweight contenders were offered to clash with ‘El Animal’, but it wasn’t until 15th place that Zhang found a partner, and the high-profile Chinese star accepted the challenge. . The 39-year-old was gearing up for a big fight, and ‘Big Bang’ got his wish against Hrgovic with two KO artists promising to leave it all in the ring with such high stakes. .
“I’m looking forward to August 20th,” said Zhang. “My teammates and I have been honing hour by hour for this fight. Hrgovic will be the toughest opponent of my professional career. A win will secure me the required IBF challenger spot, which is why this fight is so important to me. I’ll be in the best shape I’ve ever been in.”
Wasserman’s head of global boxing, Kalle Sauerland, said, “Filip’s title chances are always inevitable. If not for the personal loss in his life, he would have been confirmed as the next to go on and start ruling this heavyweight division. “
“Cream always rises to the top, and if you look at the targeted opponents who don’t want to enter the ring with an animal like Hrgovic, there are a lot of people who clearly agree that is the level he is at. I belong,” he said.
“In the end, Zhang is man enough to step up, but whether it’s Zhang, or any other heavyweight in this tournament’s top 15, the result will always be the same. AJ and Oleksandr have a big fight ahead of them, but make no mistake, their toughest fight is yet to come. “
