October 3, 2020 - Croatian boxer Filip Hrgovic will fight Rydell Booker, a 39-year-old American and former sparring partner trying to revive his career after his release from prison, on November 7 in Florida.

Index.hr reports that Hrgovic's promoters responded to messages from critics questioning whether the program they had designed for the Croatian champion made sense. After the match against Kartozia, a boxer who is not even among the 600 best in the world, Hrgovic answered that it is up to his promoters to organize the fights, and it is up to him to be ready for any fight.

And while Kartozia received a boxing ban of a few months, Hrgovic enters the ring again a little over a month after the knockout in Denmark. He has already left for America, where he will prepare for the fight against Booker.

The American has had 29 fights and won 26 times in his professional career. He lost three times, in 2004 to James Toney, in April 2019 to Jermaine Franklin, and recently against Bulgarian boxer Pulev.

Booker, who will turn 40 in February, was one of America’s most promising heavyweights at the turn of the century. Born in Detroit, Booker had 22 straight wins by mid-2004, winning an IBA title match against James Toney, who had earlier demolished Evander Holyfield. The winner would get a chance to box for the world title.

However, in parallel with his boxing career, Booker also built a criminal one. Five months before the fight with Toney, he was arrested along with three other men for possessing more than a pound of cocaine and was awaiting trial.

"I had to accept that fight even though I wasn't ready for it. I needed money for expensive court costs, and I had no choice," said Booker years later, who lost to Toney by a unanimous decision of the judges after 12 rounds.

Hrgovic believes that he will bring down Booker without any problems.

"I can't wait to fight in America. Booker is a skilled fighter; he had a good fight against Pulev. He kept his distance and won the first couple of rounds; he endured 12 rounds. I can do much better. I will finish this fight earlier. Booker was one of my sparring partners before the fight with Corbin. I know him well, and he knows me well. He scanned me. I am looking forward to the fight. He has good technique and skill, but I am more prepared, and in better shape, and I think he will not be able to bear my strength and pressure," Filip Hrgovic said.

His promoters from Team Sauerland predict that by the end of 2021, Hrgovic will be fighting for the world heavyweight title.

"Filip can hurt any heavyweight at the moment. He has dynamite in both hands, he showed that in the last fight, and he will show it against Booker. Filip must stay in rhythm and fight because a challenging year awaits us. He is ready to fight for the title of champion," said Nisse Sauerland, Hrgovic's promoter, announcing the new fight.

He recently said he would not give up on a deal to fight British boxer, Daniel Dubois.

Sauerland confirmed that the fight is still in the plan, and by the end of 2020, he could be in the ring for the third time.

"After Booker, we hope to fight one more time by the end of the year. We're trying to keep Filip busy and going in the right direction," Sauerland explained.

There have been rumors for some time about the clash between Hrgovic and Dubois, a duel between two upcoming fighters who should be at the top of international boxing for a long time.

"We are definitely considering a fight with Dubois, he is constantly progressing; he is completely different than a few years ago. We will see him as he really is in the next fight against Joe Joyce, in my opinion, it is completely open. But the fight between Dubois and Hrgovic will happen soon, in a year, no matter how Dubois fares against Joyce," Sauerland said, adding that this is the perfect time for Hrgovic to fight for the top of world boxing because the heavyweight division has never been more exciting, after a boring era dominated by the Klitschko brothers.

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily. 

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages.

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.

September 27, 2020 - Croatian boxer Filip Hrgovic returned to the ring in the best way possible after a 10-month break, knocking out Greek opponent Alexandre Kortozia. His next opponent will be Rydell Booker, Hrgovic's former sparring partner who once fought for the title of world champion.

Net.hr reports that the best Croatian boxer Filip Hrgovic recorded his 11th victory in the same number of fights in his professional career. He knocked out Greek Alexandre Kartozia in the second round, who did not offer too much resistance.

In the second round, less than a minute was enough for Hrgovic to finish this fight. And there was no salvation for Kartozia - a brutal right-hander put the Greek to sleep, knocking him out instantly as he fell on the ropes in the ring.

After the fight, Hrgovic's coach Yousef Hassan spoke about the win.

"I ran into the ring after the match and saw a man, he almost died. He couldn't get air. Filip really has a bomb in his hands, that right one is really strong," said Hassan and added:

"Filip and I bet before the match about which round the fight would end and we said it would be over in the second. We are returning home happy with the victory, we are more experienced now, and didn't work for 10 months for nothing,", said Hassan and announced the standard ritual that goes after every one of Hrgovic's victory.

“We go to McDonalds, eat some unhealthy burgers, and then we go home. In a couple of days, we're going on the hunt for Booker. Something ugly is waiting for him as well,"  concluded Hassan.

Hrgovic returned to the ring in the right way after a break of ten months. His next opponent will be Rydell Booker, Hrgovic's former sparring partner who once fought for the title of world champion.

For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily. 

Read the Croatian Travel Update in your language - now available in 24 languages

Join the Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community.

March 9, 2020 - Croatian heavyweight talent Filip Hrgovic will face Jerry 'Slugger' Forrest on April 17 in Oxon Hill, USA. 

ESPN reports that one of the most interesting heavyweight talents, bronze Olympic medalist Filip Hrgovic (10-0, 8 KO) will compete on April 17 in Oxon Hill against Jerry Forrest (26-3, 20 KO), an American boxer who missed fighting Murat Gassijew in February due to the Russian's injury.

The 31-year-old 'Slugger' has no significant victories on his account, but in July last year, he fought an even, losing duel against the undefeated Jermaine Franklin. It was his first defeat since 2014, when he lost against Michael Hunter. Forrest's third defeat took place in August 2013, when Gerald Washington knocked him out. It is worth noting that Forrest is small for a heavyweight (185 cm tall), but with a nearly two-meter reach. 

Forrest has 26 wins and three losses and has registered 20 victories with a knockout. Boxrec ranks him as the 93rd heavyweight in the world and the 23rd best American boxer in the royal category, which is nowhere near the references Filip had hoped for his next rival. Forrest began his career in 2012, and in the next two fights, he met his most famous opponents - Gerald Washington and Michael Hunter, against both of whom he suffered defeat.

The last fight for the 27-year-old Hrgovic was in Saudi Arabia last December. ‘El Animal’ knocked out Eric Molina in the third round. It was said that in the spring, the Croatian boxer could cross gloves in Great Britain against Martin Bakole, though this has been put on hold for now. 

The reason for the not-so-challenging fight against Forrest is that Hrgovic has Olympic qualifications in May. It all depends on whether the Croatian champion Marko Milun manages to qualify for the games in March in the European tournament. If he fails, Hrgovic will most likely prepare for the May tournament. At the moment, the Zagreb heavyweight is located in Miami.

Hrgovic and Forrest will meet in Oxon Hill, a small town near Washington, next month. Besides the Hrogvic fight, the program also includes Regis Prograis vs Maurice Hooker, Luke Campbell vs Javier Fortuna, Cecilia Braekhus vs Jessica McCaskill, and Danijar Jeleussinow vs Julius Indongo.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.

December 7, 2019 - Filip Hrgovic defended his WBC International Heavyweight belt on Saturday after knocking out Eric Molina at the Diriyah Arena in Saudi Arabia.

Index.hr reports that Filip Hrgovic knocked out Eric Molina in the third round of the ‘Clash On The Dunes’ on Saturday to remain the WBC International Heavyweight champion. The Croatian boxer dominated the whole fight, leaving the American boxer with little hope. 

Molina was knocked down twice, once in the first and second in the second round.

Hrgovic started strong in the third round, threw a few heavy punches, and after less than a minute, managed to knock out Molina.

After the fight and proclamation of Hrgovic as the winner, the Croatian boxer made a statement calling out the biggest names in boxing. 

"I am pleased with my performance; I have a lot of respect for Molina, who agreed to fight against me when no one wanted. Thanks to my coaches, promoters and thank you to Saudi Arabia for making this event possible," Hrgovic said after the fight, and commented on the fact that Molina complained that some of his strikes were in unauthorized areas:

"This is a war, and I used all the weapons. He turned his back on me, this is a regular hit, there is a judge so let him punish me if I was wrong,” he added.

He then asked the world's best to fight this promising boxer from Croatia.

“This is my wish from the beginning of my career, and I hope that one of the warriors will come and fight. This is a dangerous sport, I am convinced of my skills and moving forward, I believe that I can become a world champion, but I could also never become one,” concluded Hrgovic.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

December 4, 2019 - This Saturday at the Diriyah Arena in Saudi Arabia, Filip Hrgovic (9-0, 7 KOs) is scheduled to defend his WBC International Heavyweight Title against former world title challenger Eric Molina (27-5, 19 KOs) on the undercard of the huge rematch between Andy Ruiz Jr. and Anthony Joshua, who fight for the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO World Titles. 

The Croatian star is enjoying the spotlight and is looking to make a statement on the biggest stage this weekend, but reaching stars wasn’t easy for Hrgovic, whose biggest support has always been his family. 

Filip was born on the 4th of June 1992 in Zagreb. His father Petar works for Croatian Motorways and was born in Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina while his mom Iva was born in the capital of Croatia, graduated with a BA in kinesiology and has been focusing on raising five children. Filip has an older brother and sister, Ivan and Ivana, while older than him are Matija and Marta. There was also his grandfather, who Filip looked up to. 

“I am regretting that my grandad Stipe, to whom I was particularly attached to, didn’t experience my greatest success,” Filip once said.

As a kid, Filip gained extra weight and, therefore, in elementary school earned the nickname “fatty”. He was bigger than his peers and was often reprimanded due to his bad behavior in school. 

“I was naughty, playful, at least that's what I think about myself. I was a playful, but naive kid, we were all doing some nonsense, but it was always me who got in trouble,” said Hrgovic. 

Even though he is a well-renowned name in professional boxing nowadays, the first sport he got to know was basketball, as he was hoping to lose weight when he was eight years old. A few years later, he even won the national championship with the club Dubrava, but soon he retired due to back and knee injuries. 

Next, he dived into swimming, but not for too long. In 2005, for the first time, he started practicing box in Sesvete near Zagreb, his home district. He started learning the trade in the boxing club Leonardo under the guidance of coach Leonardo Pijetraj. His parents, especially his mother, met his decision to go into boxing with reluctance. However, no-one could stand in his way as he fell in love with the sport. 

Hrgovic said earlier this year: “It was difficult for them to accept it, but they had no choice. Mom can barely watch me fight.” 

That didn’t stop Filip from dominating on a junior and senior level where he was winning title after title. He was dominating so hard that he got carried away in 2013. During a closed sparring session in a gym in the UK, Hrgovic sliced open David Haye's left eyebrow with a wayward right elbow. The Brit was preparing for a multi-million-pound fight against Tyson Fury but had to postpone it, therefore losing a lot of money. 

“That cut cost him five million pounds, which was the agreed fee for the fight. I am sure he still hates me for that,” Hrgovic said last year. 

Nevertheless, in August 2015, Hrgovic announced himself to the world in a different light. He won the gold medal at the European Amateur Boxing Championship, first Croat to do so after legendary Mate Parlov, who won gold in 1971 and 1973. He didn’t stop there. In 2016, a medal was shining around his neck once more. At the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, he won the bronze medal. 

The next step was to become a professional, but that wasn’t easy on him. He waited for the first fight for 14 months. 

“'It was the most stressful and the worst year of my career. I hope that it doesn’t happen again. Not only because I wasn't boxing, but also because it took me months to get used to the new rules of the game because professional boxing is not just a sport, it's a business.” 

A business he quickly learned how to handle. At the end of 2017, he won his first professional fight against Brazilian Raphael Zumbano Love. There was no stopping him then or now. He was beating opponent after opponent after opponent and currently holds a record of 9-0, 7 KOs. The last time he was victorious was in August against Mexican Mario Heredia, who he fought as a married man for the first time. 

In June this year, he tied the knot with his long-time girlfriend Marinela Caja, in Sesvete. Filip and Marinela, who is two years younger than him, have been together for the past six years. 

This Saturday, however, he is looking to win for the 10th time as a professional and already has his sights set on the World Title. 

“It feels great to be here in Saudi Arabia,” said Hrgovic, who took part in a public workout today with his coach Pedro Diaz. “To be a World Champion, you have to be willing to fight all over the world. It is part of the job, and as I always say, a ring is a ring no matter where it is. I’ve boxed all over the world as an amateur, and I’m excited to fight in Saudi Arabia. 

“I have always said I want to fight the best in the division and my team and I will not avoid anyone. We offered Chisora to fight me when Joseph Parker canceled their fight, and they refused, so I would like to fight him next.” 

Filip’s life story has so far been incredible, but something tells us the best of him is yet to come. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

October 29, 2019 - A new decision by the World Boxing Council forces Croatian professional boxer Filip Hrgovic to make a tough decision about competing at the Tokyo Olympics next year. 

Gol.hr reports that Croatia's best boxer Filip Hrgovic, a bronze medalist at the Rio Olympics, dreamed of winning the gold medal next year in Tokyo. For that reason, he recently engaged former coach Leonard Pietra and specific staff in the boxing federation. 

"Next year is the qualifying tournament, in May, and this is the last qualifying tournament. The plan for me and my team is to go to that tournament and to qualify that way. There have been some misunderstandings about the attitude of the Croatian Olympic Committee and the Croatian Boxing Federation towards my team and me. I believe that this will be smoothed over and that everything will be arranged for me to participate in that tournament, to qualify and, God willing, win an Olympic medal, and even better, Olympic gold,” Hrgovic said in March this year.

But it seems like nothing may come of that in the end. Namely, official confirmation from the most famous boxing organization (World Boxing Council) has said that all professional boxers are threatened with a two-year suspension if they decide to compete at the Tokyo Olympics.

At the 57th annual WBC convention in Cancun, Mexico, the views of organization leader Mauritius Sulaiman were confirmed, announcing a decision like this at the beginning of the month.

Sulaiman believes professionals should not fight young, underdeveloped amateurs, and therefore announced a repeat of the 1975 suspensions.

‘’We are inspired by the South Africa ban that my Father did with WBC in 1975 when we supported the efforts of Nelson Mandela to combat the horrible act of discrimination. The WBC started a ban on anyone who would participate in boxing in South Africa, supporting apartheid. So that is the inspiration and the message."

Discussing the pros who choose to fight amateurs in the Tokyo Olympics, Mauricio stressed: ‘’Well they’re simply expelled from WBC activity for two years.”

Recall, Hrgovic holds the WBC "International Champion" belt, a sort of regional title, and the third-highest in the organization.

Moving to another organization, such as the WBO, WBA, and IBF, is also not a solution for Filip as they will follow WBC decisions.

This decision also effects world champion Andy Ruiz, who considered performing for Mexico in Rio. 

Hrgovic's next match is on December 7 in Riyadh, as part of the introductory program of the big rematch between Andy Ruiz Jr. and Anthony Joshua.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

Croatian boxer Filip Hrgović debuted phenomenally to the American audience on Saturday. The Zagreb-native knocked out Texan heavyweight Gregory Corbin at the MGM National Harbor in Washington already in the first round, after only 60 seconds, leaving the American boxer unable to continue the fight. Thus, Filip Hrgović defended the WBC International Heavyweight Championship title for the second time in his career, reports T.portal on May 26, 2019. 

HRGOVIC SAID NIGHT NIGHT! ?#WatchOnDAZN pic.twitter.com/BWglGfNVna

— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) May 26, 2019

The fight we have long-awaited lasted exactly 60 seconds. Filip Hrgović confirmed that his high ranking did not come by chance, and also confirmed to Eddie Hearn that he made the right decision choosing him as one of the European boxers on a mission to conquer the US market.

The Croatian 'El Animal' was presented to the American public and the world in the best possible way, defending the WBC title at the show that was broadcast by the current leading streaming media of the boxing world, DAZN.

Contrary to the announcements and expectations that he would fight defensively and wait for his chance, Filip Hrgović became a favorite from the first second of the fight. As soon as the referee called for the fight to start, Hrgović pushed Corbin to the ropes and made him uncomfortable immediately, showing no mercy. Hrgović showed his strength and denied Corbin the chance into the middle of the ring. And to display his total domination, he landed a devastating right hand to put Corbin to sleep in the first minute. 

The Slow-Mo Of Hrogivic's KO ??#WatchOnDAZN pic.twitter.com/WOg7zMOq0b

— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) May 26, 2019

The 122 kg Corbin fell to the floor and tried to make his way back to his feet in the next five seconds. He succeeded, but could not keep his balance. The referee signaled the end of the fight. 

Emphatic. #WatchOnDAZN pic.twitter.com/T2k4SoZZAB

— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) May 26, 2019

Recall, the 26-year-old Filip Hrgović moved to Miami in April for his U.S. debut. Hrgović won the bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

Croatia’s best boxer Filip Hrgović is leaving Croatia to live his dream in the United States, reports RTL on March 27, 2019. 

In front of Hrgović is a new career challenge - the professional boxer is not just moving to the United States for a training camp, but will make it his home for the next few years. Miami, specifically, will be his new home. 

“I say, when you are at home, you're in a comfort zone, and that's why I think I need to isolate myself. I need to go where no one knows me, where I can devote myself only to training and that is the only way I will get to my maximum,” the WBC intercontinental champion said.

Hrgović must give his maximum, because his next match is scheduled just eight weeks away, on May 18, in Chicago. Although he does not yet know the name of the opponent, it will be the predecessor of the great Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk.

Ever since his career began, Hrgović worshipped celebrities like Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua’s promoter.

“One day I sent them a list of opponents, five of them, and they told me - ‘Anyone’. And when I talked to Kalle Sauerland, he told me that Filip had told him - ‘Why are you asking me all these things?’ When he was asked about who he wants to fight,” revealed Eddie Hearn.

It does not matter against whom for Hrgović, but where. And his last two fights were in Zagreb.

"Joshua is fighting in America now, Kubrat Pulev, Usyk, Povetkin, me. When you are with the big players, you can expect great things. Throughout a couple of years, this will culminate, and I believe that some of the biggest matches in the history of the category will happen,” Hrgović said with hope.

"I cannot wait, I already started getting ready on Monday. The first couple of days have passed, and Pedro sent me the program from Miami."

Hrgović travels to Hamburg on Friday for a ten-day preparation. Using a one-way ticket, he will then touchdown in Miami, his new home and where he will base his training. It is time for America to meet a new star.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

February 15, 2019 - It is well known in the boxing world that Filip Hrgović is one of the heavyweight division’s brightest rising stars. However, the young boxer who is known for winning the bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, made a significant move on Thursday by signing a co-promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.

Team Sauerland, who signed Hrgović after the 2016 Olympics, had been trying to get gauge interest from a number of promoters but none were better than Hearn. Hearn offered the team unified heavyweight world titleholder Anthony Joshua, who is a major future target for Hrgović as he establishes himself in the sport. One of the biggest facts about the deal is that Hrgović’s fights will be streamed on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom and DAZN in the United States.

Hrgović (7-0, 5 KOs), is a 6-foot-6, 26-year-old, who is taking the sport by storm since he has turned professional and this is a major stepping stone for the young star, who carries his country on his shoulders in his journey for a world title.

Text by Thomas Mustać

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

After another new victory, Croatia’s best boxer Filip Hrgović is getting closer to the world's top.