Hrgovic Calls Out Parker; Sergey Kovalev Returns On The Fury-Usyk Card
Filip Hrgovic has called out Joseph Parker for a fight on the Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou card in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua’s decision to fight Ngannou in March left Hrgovic to explore other options. Following Joshua’s win over Otto Wallin, Joshua was expected to face the Croatian, the IBF interim heavyweight champion. A win would have put Joshua in line for the winner of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk or face Hrgovic for the full belt if the undisputed winner did not face their mandatory.
Now, Hrgovic has switched his attention to Parker. The former WBO heavyweight champion is coming off his impressive win over Deontay Wilder. Parker beat the Bronze Bomber via a unanimous decision to prevent the Wilder-Joshua fight. They had signed a two-fight deal before the fight.
A win for Parker over Hrgovic puts him as the IBF interim champion, getting him closer to a world title and getting the Joshua rematch he wants. He lost his WBO belt to the Brit after a unanimous decision loss in 2018. With Hrgovic and Parker having plenty on the line, the Croatian was ready to face the best.
Hrgovic Vs. Parker
“El Animal in the house. I heard Joseph Parker wants to fight me in March on the Joshua-Ngannou undercard. [And] I am very happy to hear that. I am ready. I accept your offer, Joe. Let’s do it. Let’s go, baby. [So] Let’s get down. [So] Let’s get down to business. See you soon,” Filip Hrgovic said
In addition, Sergey Kovalev will return to the ring after around two years away from the sport on the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk card against Robin Safar. The former light heavyweight champion held the division’s WBA, IBF and WBO belts. But in the three biggest fights of his career, he came up short.
He lost twice to Andre Ward in a unification after Ward moved up from 168. Kovalev was also knocked out by Canelo Alvarez, ending the fear factor that once made one of the best pound-for-pound fighters. His last fight was a unanimous decision win over Tervel Pulev.
Kovalev’s Return
“Sergey Kovalev will return Feb. 17 in Riyadh on the Fury-Usyk undercard, sources told ESPN. Kovalev will meet undefeated Swede Robin Safar in a cruiserweight bout. Kovalev, 40, will be fighting for the first time since May 2022 and the second time since Canelo brutally KOed him,” Mike Coppinger stated
At the age of 40, he has few fights left. The fight offers him the chance to secure a lucrative payday in Saudi Arabia before he calls it a day. His opponent is undefeated, with a record of 16-0, which includes 12 knockouts. Safar has stopped his last three opponents, making it a dangerous fight. But can Kovalev roll back the clock one last time to secure another win? Time will tell how it all plays out.
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