IBF number one ‘El Animal’ returns against ‘The Tower’ at The O2 on August 12
IBF Mandatory World Title challenger Filip Hrgovic will clash with Australia’s undefeated contender Demsey McKean on a huge sold-out night of boxing at The O2 in London on Saturday August 12, shown exclusively live on DAZN around the world and on DAZN PPV in the UK and Ireland.
The 12-round Heavyweight clash, promoted by Matchroom in association with Wasserman Boxing, lands on the undercard of the eagerly-anticipated rematch between former two-time World Champion Anthony Joshua and World Title challenger Dillian Whyte, who reignite their bitter rivalry nearly eight years on from their first meeting in Greenwich.
Croatian star Hrgovic (15-0, 12 KOs), a Rio 2016 Olympic Bronze medallist, scored the biggest win of his professional career to date when he outpointed China’s Zhilei Zhang over twelve gruelling rounds on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2 in Saudi Arabia last August.
That win, which was a Final Eliminator for the IBF Heavyweight World Title, has aged gracefully after 2008 Olympic Silver medallist Zhang upset Joe Joyce via a punishing sixth-round stoppage at London’s Copper Box Arena in April to win the WBO Heavyweight Interim Title.
Queensland’s McKean (22-0, 14 KO), who is trained by Tony Sims at the Matchroom Elite Boxing Gym in Essex, stopped Germany’s Patrick Korte in three rounds to claim the vacant IBF Intercontinental Title last time out at the South Bank Piazza in South Brisbane in what was Matchroom’s first event Down Under.
Fillip Hrgovic said: “The heavyweight champions cannot avoid me any longer and once I have defeated Demsey McKean on August 12, they will have no other option but to face me.
“I have waited patiently and bided my time but the game is up, ‘El Animal’ is coming for you and is ready to take the belts back to Croatia.
“McKean will be a tough and strong opponent, but he has never faced anyone as powerful and skilful as me.
“August 12, at The O2 in London, is the night the Heavyweight division starts to change.”
Kalle Sauerland, Global Head of Boxing at Wasserman Boxing, said: “August 12 is going to be a massive Heavyweight night and Filip Hrgovic will have to overcome a very tough, and top ranked Australian, to fulfil his dream of fighting for the World Championship later this year.
“One thing is clear, only Demsey McKean stands between Hrgovic and fighting for the World Title because the winner of Usyk-Dubois is mandated to fight the winner.”
“This is what it’s all about, the big fights,” said DemseyMcKean. “I’ve been grinding a big portion of my life for a fight like this. I’m one win away from fighting Usyk for four World Titles. This is my World Title fight.”
“We have a monstrous night of Heavyweight boxing in store for fight fans arounds the world on Saturday August 12 live from the sold-out O2 in London,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn.
“Old foes Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte meet again in a must-win clash at the top of the bill and I’m excited to confirm the first two undercard additions of what will be a stacked card.
“The IBF’s number one ranked Heavyweight Filip Hrgovic returns a year on from his Final Eliminator win over Zhilei Zhang in Saudi Arabia.
“‘El Animal’ fights in the UK for the first time as a professional against Australia’s unbeaten Demsey McKean who secures the biggest fight of his career. ‘The Romford Bull’ Johnny Fisher begins his assault on the domestic Heavyweight scene when he takes on Harry Armstrong for the vacant Southern Area Title, and there’s much more to be announced soon. Catch all of the action exclusively live on DAZN around the world and on DAZN PPV in the UK and Ireland.”
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