Hrgovic: If All Goes Well, We Hope To Have One More Fight Before The End Of The Year

HOLLYWOOD, Fla.—Filip Hrgovic was brimming with confidence heading into 2020, fresh off perhaps the most notable win of his career.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic helped stall his progress for a brief spell, but the 2016 Olympic Bronze medalist suddenly finds himself fighting for the second time in two different countries within the past six weeks.

“My team at Sauerland and Matchroom, they did [a] good job in keeping me busy during this time,” Hrgovic told BoxingScene.com ahead of his upcoming 10-round heavyweight clash with Detroit’s Rydell Booker (26-3, 13KOs). “With this crazy situation in the world, they are doing the best possible for my career.”

Fresh off of a 2nd round knockout win in Denmark just six weeks ago in late September, Croatia’s Hrgovic (11-0, 9KOs) returns to South Florida—having trained with head coach Pedro Diaz in Miami in preparation for Saturday’s DAZN-streamed appearance from Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in nearby Hollywood, Florida.

Prior to this recent stretch, Hrgovic hadn’t fought since a 3rd round stoppage of former two-time title challenger Eric Molina last December in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. The win announced his arrival on the contender stage, all but blowing past the prospect phase of his promising career.

Still, the 6’6” heavyweight—while confident of matching his skills against top guns Tyson Fury (30-0-1, 21KOs) and Anthony Joshua (23-1, 21KOs)—will gladly take greater activity rather than racing to the top.

“If this fight goes well like my past few, we hope to get one more fight before the end of the year,” notes Hrgovic, whose last four starts have all ended in three rounds or less. “Step by step. I want to have a few more fights, a few more tests and step up in opposition.

“I know I’m the man. My time will come when my team believes it’s time.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox