Andrew Golota vs. Filip Hrgovic.

You’re correct in your assessment of Golota, but what I’m trying to point out is that Hrgovic simply doesn’t have the power to really punish Golota’s weaknesses. Hrgovic's punching power is probably around the same level as Corey “T-Rex” Sanders. Power-wise, Hrgovic is much closer to Ruiz or an old Witherspoon than he is to Brewster. That’s the distinction I’m making; it’s not that Golota didn’t have weaknesses; he absolutely did. My point is that Hrgovic isn’t the type of guy to exploit them.

 

That Pouha fight was a good one, and honestly, I forgot about the biting. That was pretty crazy. I haven’t seen this video either, and I’m a pretty big Rummy fan (he’s actually the one who got me into this website), so thanks for giving me my future movie-night pick.

But even after all that, this still hasn’t swayed my opinion on Golota. I still think Golota will be able to tame the Croatian in the ring.

 

Yeah I'd agree that he isn't a top level puncher, I wasn't disputing that. You might be right that he isn't 100% ideally suited to exploiting Golota, mainly because he has massive limitations himself.

I could see him taking a lot of well executed shots and falling behind early to mid fight by quite a ways. I don't see him going away though for one second unless he gets cut, and he definitely has the type of mental strength to make Golota implode over a longer fight. Easily so imo. I'd say he hits hard enough to make Golota take note and lose gumption in a protracted firefight as well. Golota just never did anything to make me think he ought to be trusted to come through a potentially physically tough fight where he might need to absorb pressure for the duration.

 

You clearly have a well thought out opinion, and I respect that. I think we’re pretty much eye to eye on the level of Hrgovic, and maybe even Golota to an extent, but we just disagree on how we think the fight is going to play out.

 

another interesting fight, and a fight lou duva (who trained golota) tried to make was golota against zeljko mavrovic...
it would've been interesting how that would've panned out..
both were 1992 olympians...
mavrovic, another with a CHIN!!!!

 

Even if Golota got those decisions they are inferior wins to undefeated Zhang and Itauma, and he has a load of crap performances and losses to go with them, like the Michael Grant and Brewster losses. Losing in 7 rounds to a fat, overconfident Bowe, trying to quit with a bite in 4 vs the Tongan. He couldn't lace Hrgo's boots, would have never beaten Zhang or Itauma in a million years, and even Adeleye could have very well beat him, by KO or quitjob.

 

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Does Golota lose to John L. Sullivan because he isn't a "champion on the inside"? He had two of his best performances against champions, so what are you on about?

I agree with Emanuel Steward that Golota didn't have the championship mentality, but that doesn't mean he loses to every champion. Also, Ithink you quoted my post about Pouha fight, not the Emanuel Steward video.

 

Nope, Zhang and Itauma hadn't done anything in the lead-up to their fights with Hrgovic. Maybe you're saying Zhang or Itauma are better fighters, but in no way, shape, or form are they better wins than Chris Byrd or John Ruiz. That's just recency bias.

Also, I believe Itauma can smoke any version of Golota, but that doesn't mean I think Hrgovic would beat him. That's just some triangle theory BS.

And the "fat" Bowe would still smoke 98% of heavyweights today. A lot of people on the classic forums claim Bowe was completely shot in 1996 because they hate Golota.

 

Golota was a joke fighter. I don't even mean this as an insult:

4 amateur losses inside the distance.

Deserved a 4 round DQ in his "prime" against a Tongan journeyman.

Bottled it twice against a faded Bowe, first time very badly.

Done in 90 seconds by Lewis.

Stopped late by Grant.

Quit in 3 against a faded Tyson.

Done in 50 seconds by Brewster.

Quit in 1 at 40 against a 38 year old Austin.

When he calmed down mentally he had two close fights with a past prime Byrd and Ruiz to counterbalance this rubbish ledger.

Hrgovic is quite simply a far better fighter, even his two best victims are far better fighters than Golota. Golota's results against his list were objectively dreadful.

 

Golota deserving a DQ isn't an indictment of his skill. Lennox should have been DQ'd against Mike Acey. A 1996 Bowe would probably beat Itauma, Zhang, Adeleye, and Hrgovic. Golota was winning that fight before he quit. He quit against Grant and Tyson, but Hrgovic doesn't even have the same power. Brewster was when Golota was past his best, against an explosive puncher, which Hrgovic isn't. Austin was when Golota was completely washed and fighting at the journeyman level.

Hrgovic has a worse resume and has fought worse fighters. You haven't proved anything.

 

Anyone tell me who Golata actually beat?

 

Hrgovic has a better resume since the win column is what counts.

 

A fat, overconfident Bowe loses to Hrgovic, Zhang and Itauma. Getting beaten up by a choke artist fringe contender in Golota suggests he struggled against big guys with some skill and athleticism. He didn't fight any others, and he never fought a southpaw (correct me if I am wrong).

Golota only has a good resume in the sense of fighting a lot of names but his record against them was diabolical. Lewis should have been DQ'd against a journeyman yes but he wasn't a serial biter and quitter like Golota, whose record suggests he would implode in any tough fight.

To put it another way and underline the difference in ability, Hrgovic has a 4-1 record against these opponents:

A-side Dubois
A-side Itauma
Undefeated Zhang
39 Joyce on short notice
Adeleye

What would Golota's record be against this list? The top 3 would be big favourites to KO Golota, and he could get worn down in a 10 rounder vs old Joyce, or get caught and taken out by Adeleye. Golota would be doing well to go 2-3, with 1-4 more likely than 3-2.

 

Hrgovic would most likely stop Golota in the late rounds.