Filip Hrgovic vs Zhilei Zhang - Who won?

[WelshDevilRob]

Back in August in Saudi Arabia, Filip Hrgovic got a UD over then-unbeaten Zhilei Zhang.
What did you think of the fight? Did the right man get the win?

[Ledhed1]

I had no problem with the decision. Mind, Hrgovic left alot to be desired. He got by on his physical attributes which prevented Zhang from getting close enough consistently to eke out enough rounds. Zhang showed some skills; he needs a more consistent energy level to overcome opponents with a reach advantage. He failed to bring the necessary aggressive attack on this night.

[Cableaddict]

IMO Zhang got robbed.

- But I dislike both of these guys a whole lot, so I really don't care.

 

 

I must admit,   I was surprised that the dirty SOB Hrgovic looked so bad,   as he normally shows excellent skills.  

As I wrote elsewhere,  I think that the powers-that-be warned him not to throw any blatant rabbit punches in this fight,  (for whatver reason)  and so fighting clean for the first time in his life kind of threw him off of his game.

 

 

 

Seriously.

[LondonRingRules]

- - It was a step up fight for both and one seriously needed in the stagnation of the heavy division.

They were both winners, so now let's see the Americans and Cubanos step up.

Double Joes Joyce and Parker coming up, a hard pick with Parker more experienced but Joyce immensely strong and steady.

[robprosser]

Well I had Zhang winning 7 rounds to 5. Add in the knockdown and a few rocky moments for Hrgovic, he was a clear winner for me. Bearing in mind how hyped Hrgovic has been I thought he was a big disappointment and has probably found his level (bottom end of the top ten at best).

Edited September 12, 2022 by robprosser

[BoztheMadman]

Hrgovic def won without looking that good-but he landed his share of clean shots, only couldn't hurt the heavier Zhang. 

[WelshDevilRob]

The reaction from the rest of the boxing world was just as decisive as the fans in attendance:

On the DAZN broadcast, commentator Chris Mannix called it a “truly fascinating fight” and “an impressive showing from Zhilei Zhang.” Mannix scored the fight in favor of Zhang.

A Twitter poll by MightyMaxBoxing drew 483 votes, with 71.4% voting that Zhang deserved the win, 10.4% scoring it a draw and only 18.6% believing that the judges got it right.

Rob Tebbutt, who covered the fight at ringside for ID BoxingNews had it 114-113 for Zhang, writing, “A chorus of boos around the arena at the decision. The Saudis want justice for Big Bang… Looking forward to seeing Zhang again after that performance, I must say.”

NYFights.com’s Mike Woods was even blunter in his assessment, tweeting, “NOPE… not the right call… Zhang should win by 4.”

Boxing insider Jim Karas tweeted: “8 [rounds to] 4 for Hrgovic is criminal. There were at least four rounds where Hrgovic stopped fighting to take a stroll. Zhang won.”

Adam Abramowitz, a member of Ring Magazine’s ratings panel and co-host of the Punch to the Face podcast tweeted, “I had Zhang winning 114-113 in a really entertaining fight… Zhang far exceeded my expectations on Saturday.”

Jake Donovan of Boxingscene.com also scored it for Zhang, 114-113.

Source: https://www.ringnews24.com/2022/08/23/big-fights-await-zhilei-zhang-as-public-sees-right-through-saturdays-horrendous-scoring-in-ibf-eliminator/