Hrgovic vs Zhang set for Canelo/Bivol undercard

Filip Hrgovic vs Zhilei Zhang has found a home on the undercard of the huge Canelo vs Bivol showdown in Las Vegas in May.

Mexican P4P king Alvarez will attempt to dethrone WBA light-heavyweight king Bivol on Cinco De Mayo weekend (Saturday May 7) in the Nevada fight capital.

Hrgovic vs Zhang on TV

And now the first ever  DAZN PPV has a pretty interesting and significant heavyweight bout on the undercard, with heavy-handed 29-year-old Croatian prospect Hrgovic putting his unbeaten record on the line against 38-year-old Chinese giant Zhang in an IBF heavyweight title final eliminator.

Hrgovic (14-0 with 12 wins inside distance) is currently #3 in the IBF rankings but a string of potential final eliminator opponents have given the assignment a swerve. Finally now Zhang (23-0-1) has stepped up to the plate.
“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for more than year,” said Hrgović. “Finally, I have an opponent willing to face me for the chance to fight for the IBF World title. So many fighters turned down this challenge so credit to Zhang for being brave enough to accept.
“I know he’s a good opponent. He won silver at the Olympics so that means he’s a good boxer, but he is too slow on his feet, and I believe I have better the qualities. My speed, stamina and footwork will be too much for him. I will break him down and I will beat him.

Hrgovic closing in on title shot

“I’m now only one fight away from my dream of boxing for a World title and nothing is going to stop me. Canelo is the face of boxing and I’m excited to get this opportunity on such a big show.
I’m ready to show the whole world that ‘El Animal’ is coming!”
“I am very happy that this fight is going to happen,” said Zhang. “I’ve been waiting on an opportunity – now it’s here and I’m not going to let it pass. When no-one else from the top 15 wanted to face Hrgovic, I told myself I had to do it for me and for the sport of boxing. This is the most important fight of my whole career. I’m all in. Don’t miss it!”