Heavyweight Michael Hunter is unimpressed with Filip Hrgovic
Currently the search is on to find heavyweight contender Michael “The Bounty” Hunter (19-1-1, 13 KO’s) an opponent. For a brief period of time, it appeared that he was going to face former world champion “Prince” Charles Martin. The IBF ordered the two to collide in a title eliminator.
Unfortunately, the prizefight imploded when Martin withdrew citing an injury as the reason why. Naturally, Hunter would prefer to tangle with one of the more established elite names in the division. Realistically speaking though, the Californian just wants a solid name that will help propel his career forward.
The Bounty was last in the ring December 2020 collecting a fourth round knockout over Shawn Laughery. It was his sole fight in 2020. Nearly a year to the day prior to that bout, Hunter was saddled with an unsatisfying draw against Alexander Povetkin. The two men staged a very entertaining back-and-forth rumble that saw each man hurt at times. When all was said and done, the judges turned in a three-way draw. Now, Hunter is looking for fresh challenge.
WHAT’S THE HOLD UP?
When his fight with Martin first fell apart, Croatian boxer Filip “Stone Man” Hrgovic (12-0, 10 KO’s) was quickly presented as a possible replacement. For his part, Hunter had no problem fighting him and was enthusiastic about the showdown. Sadly, since the potential Hunter vs Hrgovic bout has been suggested, very little has happened since then. While speaking with SecondOuts, Hunter revealed that he did not know what was happening but remained optimistic.
“It’s kind of hard to say. They have been really, really quiet at the moment. They have been very, very quiet. I don’t know what’s going on, so usually when somebody’s quiet it’s something in the works. But I am just waiting for them to give me a call. I am pretty sure I will be hearing from them soon. Obviously, there are a lot of deadlines and a lot of things that have to be done and the IBF and sanctioning [bodies] are not going to wait. So eventually the fight has to be made, so I am just patiently waiting.”
ARE YOU REALLY READY?!
Thus far in his career, Hrgovic has proven to be a talented, seemingly hard-hitting specimen. Judging by his past performances, he certainly could be the real deal. The trouble is the Stone Man has not faced any elite competition himself. In many respects, Hunter would be something of a step up for the Croatian.
From that angle, this bout only becomes that much more intriguing. Does Hunter have the skill to outclass Hrgovic and continue elevating his career? Or, will the Stone Man crush his momentum and steal Hunter’s thunder? In either case, it should come as no surprise that the Bounty can not envision losing to Hrgovic.
“One thing that they can’t fool me on that they say he is a big puncher and we know that he is not a big puncher. I’ve been in the ring with the Klitschko’s before that was a thing, you know what I am saying? I really think they are going to have a rude awakening whenever that date comes and I think they know it. I think Eddie [Hearn] wants to make the fight happen but I think that Sauerland and them need to make it a little bit more strategic. I think they’d be gambling really heavy on this one!”
Let’s just hope that they make the damn fight!
By: Bakari Simpson
