T here is little doubt that Filip Hrgovic is hewn from the old school and is a throwback fighter. With ancient qualities, even. It is 10 days after the 34-year-old Croatian’s shocking and dramatic defeat of the prodigy Moses Itauma in London. Hrgovic is back home in his country, having spent a week and a half in rest and recovery in Spain, hidden away from the boxing world with his wife Marinela and 2-year-old daughter. It is impressive in a way, that he has stayed away from the limelight. It has given him the space to reflect on his journey of the last 20 years, an arduous and against-the-odds sojourn. He has also done so because he has been away from hearth and home for so long, starting with camp in the United States and then his time in London. Hrgovic is a truly interesting man, with modesty and humility in droves. It is well-noted that within the boxing industry, his
SOLE BELIEVER THE ENTIRE BOXING WORLD KNEW A STAR WOULD BE BORN THE NIGHT MOSES ITAUMA FACED FILIP HRGOVIC . NOBODY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE HRGOVIC. By Gareth A Davies
ascent to becoming a world titleholder has been a welcomed and popular moment. Hrgovic is unaware of this when we speak, but it’s fair to say he is touched by the sentiment. The chosen hiatus from flashing cameras and recording devices has brought many things to the surface for the fighter who can make the claim that he possesses the best chin in the heavyweight division. Instead of lapping up the glory, there have been reflections on the hardships; the times that shaped him for the better; the triumph that he will now never forget; and notably, the two long decades sacrificed for his commitment – and addiction, he reveals – to boxing. And the bubble he has been in with his family has led to an even greater determination to succeed. True reflection. Contemplation for a reason. During our interview, Hrgovic is thoughtful, even with a bit of emotion in his voice as we pick over his uninterrupted thoughts, what his family means and what the future and his
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