Filip Hrgovic conceals his emotions under a cap and behind his hand, gently wiping the corners of his eyes as he reflects on his ongoing connection with his late father, even four years after his passing. Behind him, a speedboat cuts through the sparkling blue waters near Dubrovnik, quickly vanishing from sight.
The heavyweight boxer speaks a month after causing an upset by stopping Moses Itauma at London’s O2 Arena, a victory that made him Croatia’s first-ever world heavyweight champion. During the fight, Hrgovic dedicated his triumph to his father. Now, he shares with The Independent that although it’s difficult to adjust to his father’s absence, he feels his presence through his faith and believes his father remains proud of his journey.
Despite moments of introspection, Hrgovic’s personality shines with humor during the interview. When called Croatia’s new heavyweight champion, he jokingly asks to be called the new “superstar.” Laughing, he says that if he’d known how good becoming IBF champ feels, he would have achieved it earlier. He also admits that his friends profited from bets placed on him in his fight against Itauma, whom he defeated after enduring a punishing start.
Hrgovic beams as he talks about teaching his two-year-old daughter to say, “My dad is a world champion,” even though she doesn’t yet understand what that means. On fight night, his 12-year partner watched from ringside, alternating between cheering and crying over the challenges he faced. Hrgovic recognizes the hardships she endured during his nearly three-month training camp, praising her strength in supporting their tough lifestyle.
Before the bout, Hrgovic had confidence that his experience and mental toughness would outmatch the young Briton’s speed and skill—and that proved true. Now, he offers praise and constructive feedback to Itauma, believing the young boxer’s true future depends on how he recovers mentally from the loss.
Hrgovic critiques how many young fighters get distracted by superficial distractions in training, emphasizing the mental fortitude needed to succeed. Although Itauma might surpass him in physical exercises like running or bag work, Hrgovic believes that experience and mental resilience ultimately made the difference. He credits his coach, Abel Sanchez, with helping him return to fundamentals and hard realities, not simply telling him what he wants to hear.
Hrgovic admits he’s still somewhat frustrated with his performance against Itauma, candidly acknowledging that he was outboxed in the early rounds—something new in his 20-year career. The grueling fight left him exhausted and even injured, making him skip his usual celebratory routine and struggle with sleep.
Looking ahead, there’s little time for rest for Croatia’s historic—and self-styled—”superstar.” In October, he plans to watch Daniel Dubois, the only man to beat him, defend his WBO belt in a rematch against Fabio Wardley in London. Rumors also suggest Hrgovic might defend his title against Rico Verhoeven on the undercard of the Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury showdown rumored for Cardiff in December. Whatever unfolds, Hrgovic now holds a commanding position in the heavyweight division.
Fan Take: Hrgovic’s rise to become Croatia’s first heavyweight world champion is a landmark moment for boxing fans worldwide, signaling new narratives in the division. His mix of technical skill, mental toughness, and compelling personal story promises exciting matchups that could reshape the future of heavyweight boxing.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
