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Photo credit: Mark Robinson
Heavyweights Filip ‘El Animal’ Hrgović 14-0 (12) and Zhilei ‘Big Bang’ Zhang 23-0-1 (18) will clash on the undercard of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs Dmitry Bivol at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 7.
The bout will be an IBF eliminator with the winner joining the queue to face reigning champion Oleksandr Usyk 19-0 (13) of the Ukraine.
Croatian Hrgović, 29, has had multiple opponents turn back offers to face him in an elimination fight.
“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for more than year,” said Hrgović. “Finally, I have an opponent willing to face me for the chance to fight for the IBF world title. So many fighters turned down this challenge so credit to Zhang for being brave enough to accept.
“I know he’s a good opponent. He won silver at the Olympics so that means he’s a good boxer, but he is too slow on his feet and I believe I have better the qualities. My speed, stamina and footwork will be too much for him. I will break him down and I will beat him.
“I’m now only one fight away from my dream of boxing for a world title and nothing is going to stop me. Canelo is the face of boxing and I’m excited to get this opportunity on such a big show. I’m ready to show the whole world that ‘El Animal’ is coming!”
Chinese southpaw Zhang, 38, rebounded from his majority draw to Jerry Forrest with a second-round knockout of Craig Lewis last November.
“I am very happy that this fight is going to happen,” said Zhang. “I’ve been waiting on an opportunity – now it’s here and I’m not going to let it pass.
“When no-one else from the top 15 wanted to face Hrgović, I told myself that I had to do it for me and for the sport of boxing. This is the most important fight of my whole career. I’m all in. Don’t miss it!”
“Finally, we’ve found an opponent willing to accept the challenge,” said promoter Kalle Sauerland.
“Having gone through the IBF rankings twice, Zhang has stepped up to face Filip Hrgović in an IBF world title final eliminator. We now have ‘El Animal’ versus ‘Big Bang’ for a shot at the biggest prize in boxing.
“This epic battle is going to light up the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where fans can witness the next heavyweight champion of the world in action.”
“I love the heavyweight dust-up between Filip Hrgović and Zhilei Zhang,” said Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing.
“It’s been a long-time coming for someone to step up to the plate and fight Filip, credit to Zhilei and his team for taking on the challenge. Both men carry huge power and they know that victory takes them one step closer to sport’s ultimate prize – heavyweight champion of the world.
“There won’t be a backwards step taken when they rumble, it’s going to be fireworks on an already electric night.”
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