Comments Thread For: McKean: Who Has Hrgovic Decisively Beaten? Zhang and That Was Controversial

[Dr. Z]

I think that's very fanciful. There are plenty of fighters who have proven more than Hrgovic.

But he's earned his mandatory spot. We'll see.

So you don't think he is a top 3 fighter? Who in you opnion is better now. Don't say the shot Wilder at 37. Who he he beaten? And at his age ( 37 ) most of his wins are irreverent.

[billeau2]

McKean is not a top prospect or a top ten heavyweight. Hrgovic is.

Not everyone has the fire and will need to commit to punches. I think he fights the way he does because he doesn't want to get countered. Or hit with something that will test his chin.

Yeah he is big, fairly mobile and strong, but he is facing a man who hits hard, is as big as he is, and has the skill needed to cause damage to him.

If I were in his corner I would tell him to land his best stuff early as possible. Skip the pitty pat shots. Hrgovic throws lots of punches and will walk right through weak shots.

I think Hrgovic is one of the three best heavyweights in the world. What do you think?

I generally look at all the guys who have not fought marquee challengers in a similar group. Hrgovic is a bit more along because of his fight with Ji li (spelling). He looked decent in that fight, and I think it pulled him out of the prospect group. In the Prospect group a lot can happen...For example, Berlanger, the middle weight fighter. People thought this kd was going to replace sliced bread on the table! This happens a lot... heavyweights get into jams that show qualities that become a blue print ti defeat them by. Hrgovic left this group... so now we see him enter the ranks.

With that said, I think he is a strong fighter but like so many he has to develop some professional chops, a departure from the very basic amatuer style employed these days. If he does so I think he can be marque quality. Take Golota for example, who ironickly had some flaws that destroyed him, but when he was at the top of his game, Golota learned to punch and operate with a lot more depth than how he came up as an amatuer.

What kids (I say kids I am 60 years old lol) like Hrgovic lack these days was being 15, running water at Gleason's gym to the fighters who then mentor him "Hey kid when you throw that jab, put your chin down..." hey kid don't step this way step that way...." etc, etc..." Some kids get some polish early, Worrell is a prospect I think highly of, also the Serbian/croate, African kid? a hell of a prospect! very talented, forgot his name...

[Dr. Z]

I generally look at all the guys who have not fought marquee challengers in a similar group. Hrgovic is a bit more along because of his fight with Ji li (spelling). He looked decent in that fight, and I think it pulled him out of the prospect group. In the Prospect group a lot can happen...For example, Berlanger, the middle weight fighter. People thought this kd was going to replace sliced bread on the table! This happens a lot... heavyweights get into jams that show qualities that become a blue print ti defeat them by. Hrgovic left this group... so now we see him enter the ranks.

With that said, I think he is a strong fighter but like so many he has to develop some professional chops, a departure from the very basic amatuer style employed these days. If he does so I think he can be marque quality. Take Golota for example, who ironickly had some flaws that destroyed him, but when he was at the top of his game, Golota learned to punch and operate with a lot more depth than how he came up as an amatuer.

What kids (I say kids I am 60 years old lol) like Hrgovic lack these days was being 15, running water at Gleason's gym to the fighters who then mentor him "Hey kid when you throw that jab, put your chin down..." hey kid don't step this way step that way...." etc, etc..." Some kids get some polish early, Worrell is a prospect I think highly of, also the Serbian/croate, African kid? a hell of a prospect! very talented, forgot his name...

Okay. On Golota he did not hit as hard as Hrgovic. Golota had a shaky chin in a few fights and not did have good body punching or and uppercut either like Hrgovic does. Obvisouly he was not mentally tough as Hrgovic was . I would not compare the two. I think outside or developing a better jab and counter hook, Hrgovic is a bacically fished product.

[JakeTheBoxer]

People act like the rankings will never change and a lower ranked fighter can't beat a much higher ranked fighter.

It's not how it works. If McKean is ever going to be a challenger then he needs a fight like Hrgovic to test and prove himself. Just because he hasn't fought at that level before doesn't mean he can't. The proof will be in the ring. c

This is a good point actually. If McKean wins, he is clearly top 10. This is a great chance for him.