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

[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.

[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.

[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 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.

[Toffee]

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

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.

[Toffee]

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. That's how you make a name for yourself and move up the rankings.

As for Hrgovic, I still think the jury is out. Both he and Zhang looked comically bad in a very entertaining fight. Zhang's win against Joyce makes Hrgovic's win look better in hindsight... but then all Zhang did was prove plenty of people's theory that Joyce couldn't just continue winning fights by blocking shots with his face.

This isn't elite v novice. It's contender v novice.

That said... I'm on Hrgovic by middle rounds stoppage simply on him being a big lump with better experience. But you can't rule out an unbeaten fighter. You can't know his level until he hits it.

[Dr. Z]

One thing that makes me cringe is when I see a big strong lad like McKean and he starts to throw these pitty pat shots when he gets opportunity. One of the primary skills has to be using weight and sitting down enough so a shot has real impact.

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?

[JakeTheBoxer]

Hrgovic is a well polished ****house

Hrgovic is unbeaten top contender. Somebody Fury would never fight.

[Marchegiano]

Hrgovic is a well polished ****house

[billeau2]

Hrgovic will knock McKean out. The only thing to debate is when this will happen. I say inside 5 rounds. McKean is not bad. He is not short ,with a short reach. He is big in shape man with a fair amount if power. Hs is not slow handed either. Probably a top 40 heavyweight. He is in his prime.

One thing that makes me cringe is when I see a big strong lad like McKean and he starts to throw these pitty pat shots when he gets opportunity. One of the primary skills has to be using weight and sitting down enough so a shot has real impact.