BoxRec

Hrgovic-Zhang: Matchroom and Wasserman Win Purse Bid For IBF Title Eliminator

Filip Hrgovic has finally secured that long sought next step to challenging for the heavyweight crown.

An ordered IBF heavyweight title eliminator between Hrgovic and Zhilei Zhang has landed in the hands of Matchroom Boxing and Wasserman Boxing, Hrgovic’s co-promoters who secured promotional rights through a purse bid hearing held Thursday at IBF headquarters in Springfield, New Jersey. The session produces closure to a months-long search for Hrgovic’s next opponent.

Matchroom and Wasserman submitted a joint bid of $650,000, significantly outpacing the next highest bid of $410,000 from Probox Promotions. Croatia’s Hrgovic is entitled to 60% ($390,000) of the winning bid as the higher ranked contender. The remaining 40% ($260,000) will go to Zhang, a two-time Olympian and 2008 Olympic Bronze medalist for China. Matchroom/Wasserman submitted a 10% deposit with its winning amount per purse bid terms and will have to submit another 10% deposit within five business days to validate the terms of the purse bid hearing.

The winner will be named the IBF mandatory challenger to IBF/WBA/WBO/IBO champ Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13KOs), who presently awaits a fight date for his contractually bound rematch with former two-time unified titlist Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22KOs).

Hrgovic (14-0, 12KOs) has been on the hunt for more than a year to secure a willing participant for a title eliminator. The 2016 Olympic Bronze medalist for Croatia saw an ordered fight with second-generation heavyweight Michael Hunter II makes its way to a purse bid, which was won by Matchroom Boxing—Hrgovic’s co-promoter along with Wasserman Boxing. Hunter was not motivated by the financial terms of the fight, opting to take his career in a different direction.

Just two fights have followed for Hrgovic in that time, scoring a pair of third-round knockouts over unbeaten but obscure opposition. The hulking 6’6” heavyweight toyed with Montenegro’s Marko Radonjic, scoring five knockdowns in nine minutes of ring time last September in Klagenfurt, Austria. Less than three months later came his latest win, needing just 6:40 to take out Germany-based Serbian heavyweight Emir Ahmatovic last December in Las Vegas. The win extended Hrgovic’s current seven-fight knockout streak, while having yet to be extended past eight rounds.

Zhang (23-0-1, 18KOs) was one of just two heavyweights to accept an invitation from the IBF to enter talks with Hrgovic, with seven other ranked contenders declining the offer due to injury, scheduling conflicts or other reasons. The only other heavyweight to entertain the idea of next facing Hrgovic was Paris’ Tony Yoka (11-0, 9KOs), the 2016 Olympic Gold medalist who owned amateur wins over Hrgovic in the 2015 World Amateur Championships and the semifinal round of the 2016 Rio Olympics. Yoka was removed from the mix, however, after Martin Bakole appealed the move in successfully arguing that he was owed a fight with the unbeaten Frenchman.

Yoka and Bakole were due to fight January 15, with the event postponed due to Covid restrictions. Their fight has been rescheduled for May 14 in Paris.

The bizarre development saw Zhang emerge as the unlikely next foe for Hrgovic, given his placement at number 13 in the IBF heavyweight rankings for a fight he has sought since the pandemic. Zhang and Hrgovic were both on the same November 2020 DAZN card in Hollywood, Florida, both openly discussing the possibility of facing one another under such circumstances.

It’s been a slow road to get them in the ring, though the day draws nearer. Zhang has since fought to a draw with Jerry Forrest in their February 2021 thriller in Miami and scored a second-round knockout of Craig Lewis last November at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater in New York City. Both bouts as well as his appearance on the November 2020 DAZN show all came as part of a co-promotional agreement with Matchroom Boxing.

Zhang’s patience paid off, wading through nine other heavyweights ranked above him who were unable or unwilling to next face Hrgovic.

The winner of the proposed Hrgovic-Zhang title eliminator will become one of three mandatory challengers in waiting for the forthcoming rematch between Usyk and Joshua. Joyce is the current WBO mandatory, while Trevor Bryan (22-0, 15KOs) holds a secondary version of the WBA title which he is required to next defend versus England’s Daniel Dubois (17-1, 16KOs).

could this take place, outside of the UK, on the Usyk Joshua undercard ?

Filip Hrgovic-Zhang Zhilei Will Be Co-Feature On DAZN’s Canelo-Bivol Show May 7

Filip Hrgovic and Zhang Zhilei will have most of the boxing world watching when they fight to become the IBF’s mandatory challenger for its unbeaten heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk.

Boxing Scene has learned that the 12-round IBF elimination match between Croatia’s Hrgovic and China’s Zhilei will be the co-feature before four-division champion Canelo Alvarez challenges WBA light heavyweight champ Dmitry Bivol on May 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. DAZN will stream Alvarez-Bivol, Hrgovic-Zhilei and other bouts to be determined as part of that streaming service’s inaugural pay-per-view event, which will cost subscribers $59.99 and non-subscribers $79.99.

Hrgovic (14-0, 12 KOs), a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, is the IBF’s third-ranked contender. Zhilei (23-0-1, 18 KOs), who won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and lost to British gold medalist Anthony Joshua at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, is ranked 13th by the IBF.

The 38-year-old Zhilei and fifth-rated Frenchman Tony Yoka were the only two of the nine IBF-ranked heavyweights approached who were willing to enter negotiations with Hrgovic’s co-promoters, Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and Wasserman Boxing, for this title eliminator. Yoka (11-0, 9 KOs) has since committed to a fight with Scotland’s Martin Bakole (17-1, 13 KOs), which was rescheduled from January 15 to May 21 at Accor Arena in Paris.

Seven other heavyweights declined the IBF’s invitation to negotiate for an elimination match with Hrgovic’s handlers due to injuries, scheduling conflicts or other reasons. Matchroom and Wasserman won an IBF purse bid February 24 with a joint offer of $650,000.

Hgrovic is entitled to 60 percent, or $390,000, because he is the higher-ranked contender. Zhilei’s side will receive $260,000, or 40 percent of the winning bid.

The 6-foot-6, 247-pound Hrgovic has won seven consecutive bouts by knockout or technical knockout. He most recently stopped Germany’s Emir Ahmatovic (11-1, 8 KOs) in the third round December 4 on the Devin Haney-Joseph Diaz Jr. undercard at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Two fights ago, Zhilei knocked down American veteran Jerry Forrest once apiece in the first, second and third rounds. An extremely fatigued Zhilei let Forrest back into their fight, though, struggled down the stretch and settled for a 10-round majority draw on the Alvarez-Avni Yildirim undercard in February 2021 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

The 6-foot-6, 274-pound Zhilei won his only fight since his draw with Forrest (26-4-2, 20 KOs) on November 27. The strong southpaw stopped Craig Lewis (14-5-1, 8 KOs) in the second round that night on the Teofimo Lopez-George Kambosos Jr. undercard at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater in New York.

Press Release

The IBF World Heavyweight Title Final Eliminator between Filip Hrgović (14-0, 12 KOs) and Zhilei Zhang (23-0-1, 18 KOs) will take place on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Dmitry Bivol undercard on May 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Hrgović has been hunting a dance partner for a showdown to name the mandatory challenger for the IBF World Title held by Oleksandr Usyk. The 29-year-old Olympic bronze medal man has cut a lethal swathe through the pro ranks to sit in a prime position for a deserved shot at the big prize, ending all but two of his fights inside the distance and not going past the fifth round in his last seven outings.

A host of Heavyweights were offered the clash with the dangerous Croatian, but not until it came to #13 ranked Zhang was a dance partner found, with the lofty Chinese star accepting the challenge. The 38-year-old has been circling for a major showdown, and ‘Big Bang’ gets his wish against Hrgović in Sin City with the two KO artists promising to leave it all in the ring with the stakes high.

“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for more than a year,” said Hrgović. “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, which means he’s a good boxer, but he is too slow on his feet, and I believe I have 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 will stop me. Canelo is the face of boxing, and I’m excited to get this opportunity on such a big show. I’m ready to show the whole world that ‘El Animal’ is coming!”

“I am thrilled that this fight will happen,” said Zhang. “I’ve been waiting on an opportunity – now it’s here, and I’m not letting 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 the sport of boxing. This is the most important fight of my whole career. I’m all in. Don’t miss it!”

“Finally, we’ve found an opponent willing to accept the challenge,” said promoter Kalle Sauerland. “Having gone through the IBF rankings twice, Zhang has stepped up to face Filip Hrgović in an IBF World Title final eliminator. We now have ‘El Animal’ versus ‘Big Bang’ for a shot at the biggest prize in boxing. This epic battle will light up the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where fans can witness the next Heavyweight Champion of the World in action.”

Hrgović vs. Zhang is the latest addition to what promises to be a stacked card in Las Vegas, with Montana Love and Gabriel Valenzuela also set to square off in a mouth-watering Super-Lightweight battle in support of the main blockbuster event as pound-for-pound Mexican king Canelo looks to become a two-time World ruler at 175lbs against long-reigning WBA champion Bivol on Cinco De Mayo weekend.

Tickets will go on sale starting at $105 (plus fees) on the following dates and times (all times PT) at AXS.com.
•AXS, Fighter, DAZN, and Matchroom (codes) Pre-Sales: Tuesday, March 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Public On-Sale: Wednesday, March 23 at 10:00 a.m.

Zhang will do well to hear the last bell, let alone win.

ya, fill should end up beating up big zhang, but zhang can punch early and fill is open.......early rounds could be interesting at least

THEBUTCH wrote: ↑22 Mar 2022, 18:04 Zhang will do well to hear the last bell, let alone win.

Depending on the odds, I think there is money to be made betting on this not reaching the final bell regardless as to which if them hits the canvas.

They ain’t the best out there but I have to admit I’m looking forward to this one.

jameswilson wrote: ↑22 Mar 2022, 20:23 They ain’t the best out there but I have to admit I’m looking forward to this one.

For sure, it will be a proper fun fight

Fight week!

Will hrgovic remember how to box? or will he try club his way through a fellow clubber.

Fights off Hrgovic has pulled out, his dad died last month, never read full article but my understanding is he tried to follow through with fight but just couldn't train properly, understandable,

handsofstone wrote: ↑02 May 2022, 14:03 Fights off Hrgovic has pulled out, his dad died last month, never read full article but my understanding is he tried to follow through with fight but just couldn't train properly, understandable,

He should have pulled out of the fight back then tbh.

Hopefully Eddie can get someone decent to step in, still want to see Zhang on card

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑02 May 2022, 14:05

handsofstone wrote: ↑02 May 2022, 14:03 Fights off Hrgovic has pulled out, his dad died last month, never read full article but my understanding is he tried to follow through with fight but just couldn't train properly, understandable,

He should have pulled out of the fight back then tbh.

I suppose in hindsight but its maybe one of those ones where he's thought my dad wouldn't want me to pull out or whatever, shame all round

Watch them all want an IBF final elim now.

Get Hughie in!
I’m sure he’s IBF ranked.

Dioufy wrote: ↑02 May 2022, 14:27 Get Hughie in!
I’m sure he’s IBF ranked.

Still waiting for them to announce this proper fight they’ve been saying is definitely going to happen.

Dioufy wrote: ↑02 May 2022, 14:26 Watch them all want an IBF final elim now.

Yeh, non of them wanted to fight Hrgovic for peanuts.

But they’ll fancy their chances with Zhang.

jameswilson wrote: ↑02 May 2022, 14:38

Dioufy wrote: ↑02 May 2022, 14:27 Get Hughie in!
I’m sure he’s IBF ranked.

Still waiting for them to announce this proper fight they’ve been saying is definitely going to happen.

I never thought Matchroom did a particularly good job with job as he seemed to be inactive.

I was hoping that would change with Boxxer and when he fought in October then they were then talking about him being back out in December which sounded promising. We’re now in May and still no sign of a fight.

Makes you wonder what the issue is.

maverick23 wrote: ↑02 May 2022, 15:03

jameswilson wrote: ↑02 May 2022, 14:38

Dioufy wrote: ↑02 May 2022, 14:27 Get Hughie in!
I’m sure he’s IBF ranked.

Still waiting for them to announce this proper fight they’ve been saying is definitely going to happen.

I never thought Matchroom did a particularly good job with job as he seemed to be inactive.

I was hoping that would change with Boxxer and when he fought in October then they were then talking about him being back out in December which sounded promising. We’re now in May and still no sign of a fight.

Makes you wonder what the issue is.

Since 2016 he’s had 4 different promoters and only one of those years has he fought more than twice a year. Other than the kamikaze early years he’s been horrendous in terms of activity.

hrg just cant get any momentum going

Anderson or Hunter I'd like to see.
No idea if they're in shape though.

gassiev is ibf ranked, he should fight zhang instead of being totally irelevant like he's made himself. or does the whole being russian thing kill that

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑02 May 2022, 17:39 gassiev is ibf ranked, he should fight zhang instead of being totally irelevant like he's made himself. or does the whole being russian thing kill that

He’s Ossetian isn’t he?