IBF mandatory challenger and Croatian heavyweight Filip Hrgovic squares off against Australian Demsey McKean on the undercard of the Anthony Joshua vs Robert Helenius fight. The pair of undefeated heavyweights clash at the O2 Arena. If the Croat gets over the Australian hurdle, he could have the opportunity to contest for the IBF title against Oleksandr Usyk, with the match possibly taking place before the end of this year. Demsey McKean is a former mixed martial artist and Kickboxer. He moved to the UK after the pandemic to get more fights.
BOXING: Heavyweight
Venue: O2 Arena, London
Where to watch: DAZN PPV
Date: 12.08.2023. 23.00
Filip Hrgovic
The 31-year-old is the best boxer to come out of Croatia in many years. Filip Hrgovic won the WBC International and IBF International titles in 2018 and 2020, respectively. He also had a storied amateur career, winning a gold medal at the 2015 European Amateur Boxing Championships and a bronze at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Undefeated as a professional, the Zagreb-born boxer has twelve knockouts from fifteen fights. In his last bout, Filip Hrgovic defeated Zhilei Zhang via unanimous decision despite being floored in the first round by an illegal punch.
Tale of the tape
- Age: 31
- Height: 6’ 6”
- Reach: N/A
- Record: 15-0
The heavyweight champion cannot avoid me any longer, and, once I have defeated Demsey McKean on August 12, they will have no other option but to face me. I have waited patiently and bided my time, but the game is up. ‘El Animal’ is coming for you and ready to return the belts to Croatia.
Demsey McKean
Following a childhood playing Rugby, Demsey McKean switched to mixed martial arts. In 2014, McKean ventured into boxing, becoming the Australian Heavyweight Champion in 2017. A fearless competitor, Demsey McKean has shown interest in fighting Efe Ajagba, Joseph Parker, and even Tyson Fury. In 2021, he got the opportunity to spar with Anthony Joshua and moved to the UK. Last October, McKean won the vacant IBF inter-continental heavyweight title. The 32-year-old is undefeated as a boxer, undefeated in Kickboxing, and has one loss in MMA.
Tale of the tape
- Age: 32
- Height: 6’ 6”
- Reach: N/A
- Record: 22-0
Betting Odds
Filip Hrgovic is a massive favorite at 1.12 odds to win on Bet365. Dempsey McKean is priced at 6.00. On Marathonbet, over 7.5 is available at 1.70 odds, with the under at 2.05. Hrgovic by KO/TKO/DQ is 1.5, and by unanimous decision at 3.6 odds.
