Filip Hrgovic, the IBF Mandatory World Title challenger, is set to duke it out with Australia’s undefeated contender, Demsey McKean. This is all going down on August 12 at London’s packed O2 arena. For those who can’t make it in person, the event will be broadcast live on DAZN worldwide, and available via pay-per-view in the UK and Ireland.
This 12-round heavyweight matchup, promoted by Matchroom and Wasserman Boxing, serves as an exciting lead-up to the rematch between former two-time World Champion Anthony Joshua and World Title challenger Dillian Whyte. It’s been eight long years since their first fight in Greenwich, and now they’re ready to reignite their intense rivalry.
Hrgovic, from Croatia and a bronze medallist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, scored the biggest victory of his pro career when he defeated China’s Zhilei Zhang in a gruelling 12-round contest last August in Saudi Arabia. This clash was part of the undercard for the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua 2 bout. Zhang, a 2008 Olympic Silver medallist, later upset Joe Joyce with a brutal sixth-round knockout at London’s Copper Box Arena in April, claiming the WBO Heavyweight Interim Title.
Meanwhile, Queensland’s McKean, who trains at the Matchroom Elite Boxing Gym in Essex, secured the vacant IBF Intercontinental Title after taking down Germany’s Patrick Korte in three rounds. This occurred during Matchroom’s debut event in Australia at the South Bank Piazza in South Brisbane.
Hrgovic is now ready to conquer new heights. In his words, “The heavyweight champions can no longer ignore me. Once I defeat Demsey McKean on August 12, they’ll have no choice but to face me.”
According to Kalle Sauerland, Global Head of Boxing at Wasserman Boxing, “August 12 is going to be a colossal night for heavyweight boxing, and Filip Hrgovic has a tough, highly ranked Australian to get past if he wants to fight for the World Championship later this year.”
Demsey McKean sees the upcoming bout as a pivotal moment in his career, saying, “I’ve been working hard for a big part of my life for a fight like this. I’m one win away from fighting Usyk for four World Titles. This is my World Title fight.”
Eddie Hearn, Chairman of Matchroom Sport, is ecstatic about the lineup. He said, “We have a monstrous night of heavyweight boxing in store for fight fans around the world. The IBF’s number one ranked Heavyweight Filip Hrgovic returns a year after his Final Eliminator win over Zhilei Zhang in Saudi Arabia. ‘El Animal’ fights in the UK for the first time as a professional against Australia’s unbeaten Demsey McKean. We’re excited to announce this and much more. Don’t miss all of the action live on DAZN and on DAZN PPV in the UK and Ireland.”