IBF mandatory world title challenger Filip Hrgovic (15-0, 12 KOs) will clash with Australia’s undefeated contender Demsey McKean (22-0, 14 KO) on the undercard of the August 12 Joshua-Whyte rematch at The O2 in London and shown exclusively live on DAZN around the world and on DAZN PPV in the UK and Ireland.
In addition, unbeaten heavyweight Johnny “The Romford Bull” Fisher (9-0, 8 KOs) faces Harry Armstrong (5-1-1, 0 KOs) for a regional belt.
Filip Hrgovic: “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 skillful as me. August 12, at The O2 in London, is the night the heavyweight division starts to change.”
Demsey McKean: “This is what it’s all about, the big fights. 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.”
I was hoping Hrgovic wasn’t going to sit out another year or so waiting on his mandatory to be called by the IBF. McKean should be minimal risk for him.
Yes. Kind of shocked Eddie Hearn is sacrificing McKean this early on. I guess he figures he can get beat by anyone so might as well get a payday.
I think McKean is a little undervalued, but I think Hrgovic is as well (in public perception, not rankings).. Hrgovic didn’t look all that good against Zhang, but Zhang is a bit of a freak and makes anyone look bad. And Hrgovic still won, and that win stands the test of time after Chang beat Joyce. McKean is a bonafide tough and causes some problems, but I think Hrgovic comes through this one.
Analysis aside, but fights like this are why Americans tend to lag behind in the heavyweight division. These are two legit undefeated fighters with rankings stepping into the ring. That simply doesn’t happen in the US. Hrgovic could’ve easily played the rankings game and waited on the Usyk/Dubois winner, but opted to take a fight that is somewhat dangerous. I’d be stunned if an American took this route.
I’ve seen McKean a few times and I just don’t think there’s much there, but he’s 32 and credit to him taking his shot. The Zhang fight was almost a year ago now, I think Hrgovic was going to have to fight SOMEONE and Hearn even acknowledged that.
Anderson had signed to fight Zhan before his visa problems canceled that fight. Jermaine Franklin was undefeated and went to England for his two biggest fights. Stephan Shaw stepped in to fight Efe Ajagba. It happens, I don’t think undefeated American heavies are completely risk-averse.
I’ll give you that Anderson did try to take a decent fight before it fell apart, but I’m not sure Franklin or Shaw are good comparisons. Those guys never looked like legit contenders in their wins. My comment was more about American prospects that are highly valued.
Well okay and I agree about Franklin & Shaw but the fact that I brought them up is what I think that the real issue is: It isn’t that highly valued American prospects don’t take on big challenges, it’s that there simply aren’t a lot of highly valued American prospects at the weight. After Anderson who would be next right now??? Maybe Torrez Jr? He’s an Olympic silver medalist, but he only has five fights. There just aren’t a lot of those guys around at the moment at heavyweight.
Very fair. There really aren’t many American honest prospects. You mentioned Anderson being the major one, and off the top of my head I couldn’t think of any others. Makhmudov is out of Canada now and will be a presence in North America. Frank Sanchez is American-based and never seems to find fights. Otto Wallin is based in the US as well, and also struggles to get fights.
McKean in 2!
I think the quality of opponents Hrgovic has fought compared to McKean past opponents will give him the advantage. Don’t think it will go the distance.
Hrgovic is a wasted talent. He is poorly managed and inactive. It is doubtful Mckean wins but I think Hrgovic will look bad.