Former Daniel Dubois rival gives verdict on Oleksandr Usyk knockout defeat

Heavyweight Filip Hrgovic has dismissed claims that his former rival, Daniel Dubois, was a 'quitter' in his knockout defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last month. 

Dubois was stopped in the fifth round by the Ukrainian superstar at Wembley Stadium where he became a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion. 

Following such a high profile contest, the fallout has continued for weeks with some claiming that Dubois gave up instead of choosing to go out on his shield. 

Hrgovic on the other hand believes it was a gulf in class on fight night that made the difference.

"He was just outclassed by Usyk and knocked out. It was a great punch from Usyk," Hrgovic said.

"I don’t think he’s a quitter, I think he’s a great fighter, he was a world champion.

"He met one of the greatest fighters in history in Oleksandr Usyk and it was hard to deal with that."

Hrgovic will be looking to mount a world title charge of his own on August 16, live on DAZN PPV, when he takes on British heavyweight David Adeleye in Riyadh. 

The Croatian's previous trip to the Saudi Arabian capital was last year against Dubois who managed to stop Hrgovic in round eight. 

Reflecting on his first professional loss, Hrgovic admitted that he was suffering from illness in the days leading up to the first bell. 

"Before the Dubois fight I was sick, a big flu one week before.

"I was injured in camp. I lost a few weeks in sparring, I was cut in sparring."

In hindsight, Hrgovic would not have gone ahead with the Dubois fight, however, the prospect of challenging for the interim version of the IBF heavyweight title was a huge opportunity which Hrgovic could not turn down. 

"I definitely should have postponed the fight. But I was waiting for many years to get my chance, and it was a big opportunity for me.

"It was hard to make that decision to cancel the fight, but I was confident that I could beat him in that shape."

Hrgovic bounced back from his loss to Dubois in April by overcoming Joe Joyce, and victory against Adeleye will continue to stake his claim to face the big names.

Perhaps the winner of Moses Itauma-Dillian Whyte could be in Hrgovic's sights who meet in the main event on the same fight card later this month. 

Watch Itauma vs Whyte live on DAZN

You can watch Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte live on DAZN on August 16. More information is available here.