FILIP HRGOVIC has described the last four years of his career as a “disaster” but remains confident that next year will be his time to shine in the heavyweight division.
Tonight (December 23) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Croatian faces Mark De Mori in a 10-round contest, which, on paper, looks like a total mismatch.
In August, Hrgovic, 31, overcame a spirited effort from New Zealander Demsey McKean, whose hopes of an upset came to an end when referee Marcus McDonnell waved off the contest in the 12th round. That win came one year after Hrgovic had struggled beating eventual Joe Joyce conqueror Zhilei Zhang in Jeddah.
Sixteen fights in six years doesn’t exactly scream activity, no, yet the silver lining in all this is Hrgovic’s mandatory position with the IBF.
“Six years now I’m professional and last four years was disaster,” Hrgovic told Boxing News. “I had lot of problems with getting good fights, good opponents; waiting a long time between the fights and not getting my chance.
“It was a really hard time for me, but I believe that period is finished. I believe I will get my chance and now is the time in my career to participate in the big fights and fight for the title, win the title and have a lot of big fights. I think that’s the next period in my career. The best years are coming. I endured a hard period. I had a lot of bullshit but I’m still here. Nothing can break my spirit and the best period is yet to come. Next few years will be the best for me and my career.”
