There is a possibility that this fight will happen, which fighter is better? Hrgovic has more power and a longer reach, while Wallin is probably more durable...
An inactive injury-ravaged Hrgovic who has only fought four times in five years and hasn't fought anyone with a pulse in all that time or a prime healthy active Hrgovic? If it's the later, Hrgovic all day
Someone mentioned yesterday that the winner of the match between the IBF's #9-rated Wallin and the #12-rated Gassiev would fill the vacant #2 spot in the IBF ratings. Hrgovic is rated #1 by the IBF. Joshua is #3. Wilder is #4. You'd think the IBF would order Joshua-Wilder for the #2 spot (and the WBC would order Wilder-Joshua for the #1 contender spot, since they are rated #1 and #2 by the WBC.) But, if Wallin leaps from #9 to #2 in the IBF ratings and fights Hrgovic ... I think Filip kills him. Hrgovic is a beast. Wallin won't by able to throw soft head punches all night with Hrgovic just following him around. Wallin's going to have to work his way inside, and Hrgovic can box and punch. It's a mismatch in Hrgovic's favor. But I'd still like to see it. Because they don't clinch. It would probably be a beat down. And I'd like to see anything at heavyweight, frankly. Something. Anything. Keep 'em coming.
I'd be inclined to say Hrgovic comfortably. But he looked poor against McKean, also a 6'6 southpaw, who I'm certain is levels below Wallin.
McKean held for 90 percent of every round, and the ref allowed it. He couldn't even pry McKean off Hrgovic at times. When the ref finally started warning him, Hrgovic stopped him quickly. Wallin doesn't hold. I'm glad he doesn't hold. But that's going to be his doom. That, and he can't punch.
Zhang timed Hrgovic offense multiple times in their fight. This is what Otto does best, and when he, with his southpaw cross, times Hrgovic going in he doesn't need huge power to hurt him and make him second guess himself. With a more passive Hrgovic Wallin can do his usual 1-2 scoring rounds. Hrgovic has power though, and can knock anyone out. But Wallin has an alright chin and defence. If it goes to point, I'd say Otto takes it in a close fight. But Hrgovic can turn it around in any round, something I don't see Wallin doing. Unless it's a short cross counter.
The Hrgovic from both the Zhang and Mckean fights loses a UD to Wallin,as Wallin showed against Gassiev he has the skills to nullify noted punchers .
Was me and I read it in an article. Hrgovic looks like ****, but generally does enough to win. I thinks its a close fight, as I was pulling for Gassiev but always thought Wallin was better than advertised.
That is a big risk, it would be better for Hrgovic to fight Joshua or Zhang then to risk it on 50/50 fight with Sweede that has nothing to lose. Hrgovic needs oppoentnt like Wilder, 0 risk.
This is a good fight, and makes sense for both. I would favour Hrgovic if he fights to the best of his ability to win a clear decision.
Given what Zhang did to Joyce cements for me that Hrgovic is durable, regardless of who anyone thought won that fight. I think if Hrgovic is fully fit and his output in the fight is similar to what it has been in the past he should win most of the rounds and will land the bigger more eye catching shots
