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The heavyweights aiming to steal the show in Saudi
Moses Itauma’s clash with Dillian Whyte is full of intrigue, but another heavyweight bout may steal the show this evening, live on DAZN PPV.
Top-10 contender Filip Hrgovic is risking a lot when he takes on Brit David Adeleye, a fine competitor at domestic level but yet to prove himself internationally.
Adeleye will be giving his all to catapult himself into the higher echelons of the heavyweight division, providing all the ingredients for a great fight.
Filip Hrgovic: Contender biding his time
Hrgovic is well positioned in the heavyweight division. Ranked at no.2 with the World Boxing Organisation (WBO), viewed as the sixth-best contender by both the World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Association (WBA), and The Ring, the Croatian is technically eligible for a shot at a world title, as unlikely as that appears right now.
A fight with Adeleye represents a different challenge for Hrgovic, who stepped in at the last minute to defeat Joe Joyce earlier this year. The expectation rests upon Hrgovic, who despite losing to Daniel Dubois, has claimed scalps on the international stage.
Queensberry/Leigh Dawney
His victory over Zhilei Zhang was viewed as fortunate in some circles, and another sub-par performance against Adeleye, even if it results in victory, would further undermine Hrgovic’s place in the heavyweight division.
As such, he will have to approach the contest with the intent to put on a show. Hrgovic's record of 14 knockouts from 18 wins prove that he has the power to end a bout early. By getting a stoppage against Adeleye, Hrgovic would highlight his knockout credentials for the first time since 2023.
David Adeleye: Step up from domestic to world level
Whilst there is a lot of pressure on Hrgovic, Adeleye will know that this might prove make-or-break for his own career prospects. At 28 years old, the Londoner has his best boxing years ahead of him, with a record of 14-1. While all but one of his wins have come by way of knockout, but there are very few major names on his CV to date.
Adeleye's most-prominent opponent so far, to whom he lost, has been now-WBA interim heavyweight world champion Fabio Wardley. Wardley stopped Adeleye in the seventh round of their 2023 contest.
The British heavyweight title was on the line outside of the United Kingdom for the first time, with reigning champion Wardley putting his Lonsdale Belt and the WBA continental title on the line. It was a fight also for the vacant Commonwealth belt as well as Adeleye's WBO European title.
Wardley remains the highest-level opponent Adeleye has faced, with recent wins over Solomon Dacres and Jamie TKV proving that he is more than capable of beating his domestic rivals. Leigh Dawney/Queensberry
His win over TKV saw him earn the British title at the second attempt, but there was controversy over the result. Adeleye knocked down his opponent for the first time with a left hook at the start of the sixth when it appeared that the referee had called a break.
There was no further referee intervention, with TKV getting back to his feet, but the damage was done. He would be down on the canvas again shortly after, with the fight called off.
Talk of a rematch quickly cropped up after the bout, with the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) ordering the pair to face each other again.
However, when the opportunity to fight Hrgovic arose, Adeleye chose to relinquish the Lonsdale belt.
War of words between Filip Hrgovic and David Adeleye could spice things up
Hrgovic has not forgotten about the controversy surrounding Adeleye’s win over TKV. In the final press conference of fight week, Hrgovic took delight in claiming that his upcoming opponent should have been disqualified, rather than victorious, in his last bout.
The 33-year-old fighter claimed: “I think it was against the rules. He should be disqualified for that knockout, but it is what it is. We are here now, let’s do it.”
Leigh Dawney/Queensberry
Adeleye was less than impressed with the Croatian’s comments, firing back: “If he keeps talking like that, I might knock him out the same way I knocked out Jamie. So, who knows? Talking’s done. Saturday night, we’re going to see each other.
“We’re both heavyweights, he believes in himself, I definitely believe in myself. Saturday night. If I’m a walk in the park, I want to see what park he walks through.”
Watch Itauma vs Whyte live on DAZN
Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte is live and exclusive on DAZN PPV this Saturday, August 16. Buy the PPV for a one-off fee or get it for free by purchasing a DAZN annual subscription (exc. US).
More information, pricing and to buy click here.
