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Rare Footage Shows Filip Hrgović Sparring with Deontay Wilder

From Večernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Outcome reported
  • Sky Sports released 2013 footage of Croatian heavyweight Filip Hrgović sparring with Deontay Wilder, with David Haye watching.
  • Hrgović recently won the IBF heavyweight title by stopping Moses Itauma in the ninth round in London.
  • Haye described Hrgović as a fearless fighter who had troubled him and Wilder during sparring sessions.

Before Filip Hrgović became a world heavyweight champion, he was already willing to share a ring with some of boxing’s biggest names. Sky Sports has released rare footage from 2013 showing the Croatian sparring with Deontay Wilder, while former champion David Haye watched from ringside.

Hrgović fulfilled his long pursuit of a world title last week in London, stopping British prospect Moses Itauma by technical knockout in the ninth round to win the IBF heavyweight belt. After the fight, he showed interest in a rematch with WBO champion Daniel Dubois, while WBC champion Agit Kabayel also appeared in the ring.

The footage has renewed attention on Hrgović’s early years. In 2013, the then-21-year-old also sparred with Haye ahead of Haye’s planned fight with Tyson Fury. The article says Hrgović hit Haye so hard during one session that Haye suffered a badly opened eyebrow, forcing the fight to be canceled. It was never held.

Hrgović is a warrior who has not received a real opportunity so far because he did not have a major promoter behind him.

· David HayeHaye praised Hrgović’s career path and argued that the Croatian had not yet received a major opportunity.

Haye now portrays those sessions as evidence of Hrgović’s toughness. “Hrgović is a warrior who has not received a real opportunity so far because he did not have a major promoter behind him,” Haye said. “He is the type of fighter who will absorb your punches and keep moving forward.”

Haye added that Hrgović had caused him problems in sparring and had shown no fear when hit. He said the Croatian reacted in the same way against Wilder, continuing to press forward rather than backing away.

He is the type of fighter who will absorb your punches and keep moving forward.

· David HayeHaye described Hrgović’s resilience and aggressive style in the ring.
About this summary

Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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