I had Zhang beating Hrgovic, but Hrgovic isn't very good, is he? Zhang would probably need to last quite a few on Joshua without being hit, and I can't see that happening. Joshua's punch resistance isn't the best, but it's not that bad.
He was distracted from his father death, and in a tough fight. Unlucky from the knockdown / illegal punch / push down in round one, and suffered a cut from a clash or heads in round 3. Still he rebounded and won the fight on all three judges cards as well as mine. I can go over the fight round by round if your game. Zhang is a top ten ring rated magazine opponent. Better focused Hrgovic wins via greater margin. He took 5 fighters 0's that were undefeated and breezed through his opponents barely losing a round. I think he is a talent and will prove to be a future would champion. Anyway he passed his test. Now on to the IBF title. By the looks of it now one is jumping up and down to fight him.
Hrgovic is another Pulev. Stiff, upright European style with a half decent jab. Won't trouble any of the top guys.
Hrgovic may be a "world champion" but he will never be the world champion. There have been worse belt holders. @Murderers' Row shares your opinion on him, I think. He has his supporters, but I can't see it.
I don't think he's as bad as Pulev. He was incredibly overrated for quite a while. I remember fans moaning at W. Klitschko for years for facing soft opposition and they were calling for him to box Pulev as if that would be a big challenge. To be fair to Pulev, he did make W. Klitschko do a funny dance off a jab, but nothing else.
Well, that tweet wasn't up for long. Stiverne is just another "name" who Hearn can chuck in when he's rattling off records like "Joshua has fought and beaten four current or ex world champions" Stiverne is 44 years old.
Did it actually say Josh v Stiverne? I'm all for him having a rebuilding fight next but he'd be better off having a Matt Skelton rematch than fighting Stiverne...
The 2014 to 2022 World Boxing Heavyweight Division has seen a number of puddings win World Titles through the non lineal vacated route - Bernard 'Stiff ' Stiverne, Charles 'Chuck It' Martin, Andy 'Rice Pudding' Ruiz Jnr, Anthony 'Muhammed Ali' Joshua, 'Smoking' Joe Parker. I believe the latter must have got his nickname by being a chain puffer. The division will never be this bad again now Fury and Usyk have restored some credibility to the belts.
