So much for rumors of Bakole. Probably an honest mistake. "Bakole" sounds a lot like "De Mori." And they look an awful lot alike, too!
De Mori is an opponent that Fury would fight…what’s so funny about that? He wanted the top dogs in the division but they’re either tied up or too scared to fight him. You can’t blame him for that.
Apparently the fight with Bakole not happening isn't for a lack of trying on Hrgovic's part. Bakole has an injury and opted not to go through with the 23rd date. Can't fight a man who doesn't feel like getting in the ring. Still, I feel like they could have got a better replacement than this guy. Then again, I don't know what they tried to do behind the scenes, for all I know this is the best guy who'd say yes. Not like that hasn't already happened with Hrgovic, and that occasion wasn't near as short notice as this one. If nothing else, he's staying active at least.
You see, you are a guy who speaks much sense. I might have been wrong about whose fault it is that the Baklole fight didn't come off, but there is no way to put lipstick on this pig. They could have got SOMEONE better.
Oh yeah, I completely agree. Don't get me wrong, I really don't like this fight either, but between Hrgovic just sitting on his ass til he gets his shot at the Usyk-Fury/AJ-Wallin winner or fighting this guy, I'll take the latter. Activity is activity, after all. Still, this kinda feels less like a "Nobody else would take it" situation and more of a "He was the first backup we called and he said yes, so we didn't bother asking anyone else." Hrgovic's boogeyman status has taken a big hit from how he performed in his last two fights, and even if it hadn't he's sitting on a mandatory position. I feel like they could have found someone better that was willing to take a shot at him, considering those things. Complete speculation on my part though.
Hrgovic was class act. Treated De Mori like the extreme underdog he is, instead of trying to out him down during the weigh-in.
Personally, I’d like to see it. Gallen beat the **** out of Browne… and nothing currently says that De Mori is any less capable than Gal.
Absolutely pitiful opponent, is there any particular reason why Hrgovic can't Makhmudov? De Mori is so bad, he wouldn't just be a step down joke opponent for Makhmudov, but a pretty big step down for Kabayel as well.