Boxing News: Hrgovic, Smith earn title shots in eliminators » August 20, 2022 – Fight News

In an IBF heavyweight eliminator, Filip Hrgovic (15-0, 12 KOs) won a twelve round unanimous decision over previously undefeated Zhilei Zhang (24-1-1, 19 KOs) in the Usyk-Joshua co-feature on Saturday night at the King Abdullah Sports City Arena in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Zhang dropped Hrgovic in round one then it became a war of attrition with both fighters being rocked. In the end, scores were 115-112, 115-112, 114-113. Hrgovic is now in line to face the Usyk-Joshua winner.
In a WBC light heavyweight eliminator, WBC #1 Callum “Mundo” Smith (29-1, 21 KOs) scored a fourth round KO against WBC #2 Mathieu Bauderlique (21-2, 12 KOs). Smith dropped Bauderlique twice in round four to end it. Time was 1:53. Smith is now in line to face champion Artur Beterbiev.
Former two-division world champion Badou Jack “The Ripper” (27-3-3, 16 KOs), now campaigning at cruiserweight, won a ten round split decision against previously unbeaten Richard “Popeye the Sailor Man” Rivera (21-1, 16 KOs). Rivera was busier while Jack landed the cleaner punches. Round eight ran four minutes. Scores were 96-94, 96-94 Jack, 96-94 Rivera.
Heavyweight Andrew Tabiti (20-1, 16 KOs) was victorious when previously unbeaten James Wilson (7-1-1, 6 KOs) didn’t come out for round six after being dropped in round five.
In a historic bout, super bantamweight Ramla Ali became the first female boxer to feature in an official woman’s fight in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The bout didn’t last long as Ali (7-0, 2 KOs) dispatched Crystal Garcia Nova (10-3, 10 KOs) in 65 seconds.
Did she have to wear a burka and cover herself in rags while she fought or was she actually treated like a human being?
Tanks top to the waist. Shorts. No head covering.
The crowd wasn’t really there yet tho
Anthony Joshua all the way
No way Badou won that!!! Dismal scoring
Paul: Agree, totally B S
The Dominican Republic is the best in the world at building up meaningless records with crazy ko percentages for fighters than can neither fight or actually punch and apparently that applies to women too. Nova has ten wins, all knockouts, all at home against fighters with losing records.
Is there an active with more close fights than Jack?
I was convinced Jack would get a draw. Rivera needs to drop the Popeye stuff. He looked like a tool
Hrgovic v. Zhang is a good one through two!
Seriously, what fight are these DAZN ringside announcers watching in Zhang vs. Hrgovic? I had no idea getting your face pounded while you plow forward was a strategy for winning.
If this is the heavyweight division God help us looks like both fighters are walking in quicksand. Seen better fights from drunks in a bar.
They don’t move well but are throwing and landing some big shots.
Give Zhang a break. Hes like 280 and 39yrs old they aren’t gonna move like Mike Tyson
Judges had 115-112, 115-112, 114-113 Hrgovic. I had it 115-112 Hrgovic. These DAZN commentators were clueless.
You were just as clueless to have Hrgovic winning.
I didn’t realize standing there and taking 5-7 jabs (including overhand rights without response) while doing damned little was a winning strategy for so many of you. Hrgovic isn’t terribly talented by any means, but Zhang is Trevor Bryan-level bum.
Zhilei Zhang Was ROBBED BLINDED
Hrgovic didn’t win that fight.
I wonder how much they paid Buffer to come over to announce one fight.
Hrgovic is the definition of overrated. Wow. Zhang landed all the damaging shots. He was never hurt. Ran out of gas but he won this fight. Pro boxing is about damage. Filip landed some good shots but Zhang was never really hurt. He better get wayyyyy better soon because he’s not beating Usyk, Fury, or even Joyce.
It was a close, violent fight. I had Hrgovic by one point. I couldn’t have complained if Zhang won. But Hrgovic’s shots were envy damaging. The fact both guys ate insane leather all night and kept standing was pretty remarkable. There aren’t a lot of fighters who would’ve been able to withstand those punches.
ROBBERY!!!! This is anti Chinese corrupt judging
Anti-chinese? Gtfoh.. race-baitor
Entertaining heavyweight fight but Zhang won this one. Callum looked good and strong.
Had Zhang winning this, close but winning.
Already the dazn commentators are on Joshua’s n###. Every little thing he does there like omg he’s doing so great!!!
Which is not the fight I’m watching btw
Yeah, these are close, close rounds (well, the first three were). I’ve turned the sound off because impartiality seems to have gone out the window here.
AJ looking pretty good through 3.
C’mon AJ!!! BEAT HIS AYESS!
Zhang got robbed. The girl in Zhang corner is beautiful thought. Name?
It doesn’t look like Usyk has the power to hurt AJ.
RUN USYK RUN!!! BEAT HIS ASS AJ!!!!!
How’d that work out for you???
Joshua too slow can’t release punches fast enough, Damn wasted
Talent 7rds 5 usyk
Needed to take risks refused to do it!!
Joshua great guy no killer instinct
He plays boxing you can’t play boxing!
Both fought better in the rematch. Right guy won.
Omg AJ is embarrassing himself with that post fight talk – trying to steal the spotlight
Ty mikeson: Big time yes

Session expired
Please log in again. The login page will open in a new tab. After logging in you can close it and return to this page.

source