Filip Hrgovic continued his march towards world title contention once again by unanimously outpointing Britain’s David Adeleye in a cracking 10-rounder at heavyweight in Riyadh on Saturday night.
‘El Animal’ (19-1 with 14 wins inside distance) had to survive some desperate moments, being badly cut in the second round and then badly hurt in Round 8. But survive he did as he dominated the rest of what was a very entertaining scrap on the Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte undercard.
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Hrgovic looked really well conditioned after preparing under the great Abel Sanchez in Big Bear, California and he was always on the front foot. He had Adeleye (now 14-2) on the deck in the eighth with a terrific and chopping right hand, his money punch throughout the night.
Adeleye for his part adapted pretty well in what was a definite step up in class, but he was not able to muster enough by way of offense to capitalise on some good moments in the fight.
For Hrgovic it is now two wins on the bounce since that first pro defeat at the hands of Daniel Dubois last summer. And he could well be a handful for any heavyweight as he bids to force himself into the ever evolving world heavyweight title picture.
Round by Round Analysis
This is how things played out in Riyadh on Saturday night.
Round 1
Adeleye comes out on the front foot and tries to take control of centre ring, spearing out the jab. But Hrgovic gradually takes the upper hand by walking onto the British man and pushing him back onto the ropes. He peppers Adeleye regularly with powerful body shots and chopping right hands to the head. Nothing too bad landing early for Adeleye, but he would not want 10 rounds of this.
Round 2
Terrific action, and so much to unpack. Adeleye starts the session really well as he mixes in jabs, left hooks and then a peach of a left hand which slices open a horrible cut over the right eye of the Croatian. That is going to be a problem and immediately blood is everywhere. Hrgovic is clearly pushed into more aggressive action immediately as he goes on the front foot and starts to pound the British man against the ropes. Adeleye is still firing back though and putting up a really good fight here. The cut is checked between rounds and Hrgovic is good to continue for now.
Round 3
Hrgovic dominates the round for all but the final 15 seconds. He’s on the offensive, landing powerful shots and marching constantly forward. Adeleye though is still sprightly on his feet and looking smart. So far not hurt by anything, and then he turns the course of the round late on with a beautiful counter left hook, which really stiffens the legs of Hrgovic. The Croatian has to hold for dear life in the closing seconds. Cracking stuff from both men.
Round 4
Really good session for Hrgovic, with Adeleye spending most of the round on the ropes and defending against a constant assault from ‘El Animal’. He’s unloading big shot after big shot, most of them blocked, but absolutely enough to take this round. Not much by way of counters from the Brit in this round, when he does load and stand and trade he’s been successful. He needs to do it more.
Round 5
Hrgovic has really recovered well after the cut (corner did a spectacular job with it btw) and he has another fine round in the fifth. On the front foot again, throwing the vast majority of the shots that matter. He’s accurate and on the attack all the time, while Adeleye does his best to stem the tide and fire back. Excellent session for ‘El Animal’, who is surely building a lead on the scorecards in this 10-rounder.
Round 6
Another round for Hrgovic, and maybe Adeleye is banking on the big Croat running out of gas soon. He’ll need that as he is surely behind on the cards after ‘El Animal’ takes the sixth. It’s a familiar story as Hrgovic is marching forward and unloading bombs. Adeleye though isn’t hurt at all, he’s blocking a fair bit. But he does need to be more offensive in the four rounds that remain. Trainer Adam Booth tells him he has to go for it and let his hands go – “How badly do you want it?” is the message.
Round 7
Adeleye starts the seventh in better fashion, with the words of Booth still ringing in his ears. He does engage more in the first minute, but gradually Hrgovic takes control again and finishes the round stronger. The pace is definitely dropping a little now, Hrgovic has worked at pretty relentless pace and Adeleye has been on the defensive virtually throughout.
Round 8
Absolutely incredible round – a sensational three minutes of heavyweight action. Hrgovic starts well and blasts a big right hand off the chin of Adeleye. The British star opens his mouth and roars in defiance, but is then promptly dumped on the canvas by another huge chopping Hrgovic right hand. Adeleye is up at five and okay to go, and 30 seconds later he’s on top as he lands a massive counter left hook that has Hrgovic in massive trouble. Now the Croatian is battered by a huge assault by Adeleye – punch and punch after punch, but somehow he stays on his feet. Incredible stuff.
Round 9
Much quieter round in the ninth after that incredible eighth, and not surprising really. Both men looking a little weary now – again who could blame them. Hrgovic trying to employ the same tactics again, boxing off the front foot and hitting home with accurate right hands behind a stiff left jab. ‘El Animal’ surely well ahead on the cards, and Adeleye has just three minutes to turn things around now.
Round 10
Both men on the point of exhaustion, but they make it through to the final bell after another three minutes of lung-bursting action. Again Hrgovic throws more leather and Adeleye just occasionally comes back with a counter. The Brit is hurt late on by a right hand but he does hear the bell to end a massively entertaining scrap. To the scorecards we go.]
Scorecards and result
One judge has it 98-91 and the other two have it 99-90 for the winner by unanimous decision – Filip Hrgovic.
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