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WORLD TITLE CHALLENGER DUHAUPAS: “HRGOVIĆ’S STYLE AND ABILITY ARE SIMILAR TO VITALI KLITSCHKO”
Former WBC World Heavyweight Title Challenger and WBA International Heavyweight Champion Johann Duhaupas has compared Filip Hrgović (9-0, 7 KOs) to legendary three-time World Heavyweight Champion Vitali Klitschko.
The experienced Frenchman has been in Miami sparring Hrgović, alongside undefeated British heavyweight prospect Fabio Wardley and top Belgian cruiserweight Joel Tambwe Djeko, ahead of his WBC International Title clash with Eric Molina (27-5, 19 KOs) on December 7th at the purpose built Diriyah Arena in Saudi Arabia.
Duhaupas, who first encountered Hrgović at a Wladimir Klitschko training camp in Austria, says he has been impressed with the fast rising Croatian star, and states his ‘style and ability’ are similar to the elder Klitschko brother Vitali.
“I first met Filip at the Klitschko camp in Austria and he impressed me,” said Duhaupas. “He has a good right hand, fast and strong, and you can see he aims to become a World Champion. I smell it in him. His style and ability are similar to Vitali Klitschko.
Duhaupas is renowned for fighting some of the heavyweight division’s elite talent having faced the likes of Deontay Wilder, Alexander Povetkin and Jarrell Miller, and believes Hrgović is now ready to face similar big names.
“Deontay is a killer, but Filip already has a good right hand and maybe in one year with more muscle and power he could punch as hard as Wilder,” says Duhaupas. “With good mental and physical preparation, I believe Filip could win by KO against Miller or Povetkin.”
Hrgović must first overcome two-time World Title Challenger Molina from Texas, USA. A challenge Duhaupas believes the Olympic Bronze Medalist is ready for.
“It’s a really big opportunity for him,” he says. “When you are a good boxer with a good team you don’t care about travel, you only care about winning your fight. Filip wants to fight and he knows what he wants to achieve, I am very happy to train with him because his mentality is similar to mine.”
Hrgovic-Molina features on the undercard of the unified World Heavyweight Championship fight between Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua which tops a stacked event at the Diriyah Arena, Saudi Arabia.
Also on the card are heavyweight clashes between Alexander Povetkin and Michael Hunter, Dillian Whyte against Mariusz Wach, Mahammadrasul Majidov vs Tom Little and more. All the action will be available to watch on DAZN in the US and other territories, RTL in Croatia and Sky Sports in the UK.
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Deontay Wilder VS. Luis Ortiz II; Final press conference
The champion of full weight of the World Boxing Council, Wilder returns to face the Cuban puncher Ortiz.
LAS VEGAS (November 20, 2019) – WBC Deontay full weight champion “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder, and Cuban fighter Luis “King Kong” Ortiz met face to face at the final press conference before their fight of revenge in the main event of FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View this Saturday November 23 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Thursday’s press conference also featured three-division champion Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz and Miguel Flores who will face the vacant WBA super featherweight title.
Tickets for the event, promoted by BombZquad Promotions, TGB Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, are now on sale and can be purchased at www.mgmgrand.com or www.axs.com
This is what the fighters had to say Thursday from inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas:
DEONTAY WILDER
“I am the best in the world and I say it with confidence. Having said that, I have to give fans what they want to see. Those are exciting fights. The full weight division was in a dark place, but now it is on fire and I must keep it going.
“Luis Ortiz is one of the best in the world and one of the most dangerous men in boxing. No one in the top 10 has given it a chance. They say he’s old, but if that’s the truth, then one of them should fight him.
“When I look at the panorama of the full weight division, this man was not yet having a chance. It was an amazing fight the first time and I will make adjustments this time. That’s what it is all about. I will be my best version Saturday night.
“I’d rather go through difficulties in the ring than have a perfect career. What kind of legacy would you leave? I want to give you something to remember me. ”
“Luis Ortiz looks good, but I don’t think it will matter against someone like me. I am fit 365 days a year. I come to the camp in shape. The first day of camp, we were training. It is always good to see my opponents fit and properly prepared for a war. That’s all I can ask because they know what they face when they go against me.
“This is a great billboard with great champions and fighters around here. What more could you want? There is nothing more to say. Now is the time to act. I hope to give everyone the best of me. ”
“We train very hard to be prepared and go to war. You know what to expect. The hard part is waiting. This it is. I can’t wait for Saturday night. My opponent has to be perfect to last 12 rounds, I just have to be perfect for a second. ”
LUIS ORTIZ
“I do not like lose. There were legitimate circumstances why I was not at my best in the first fight. It was a fatigue strike. I think if I had continued, I would have gotten the knockout. It was just fatigue, but I corrected it this time, so the best man will win. ”
“We will show you on Saturday night how we will win. But we are always ready to adapt. We will all see him on Saturday night. ”
“This will be the second world war between us. I’ve had 500 fights, including my amateur fights. In full weight, everyone has power. Sometimes it seems that a horse is kicking you. Wilder is very strong, but I will show what I know and what I can do.
“As I said before, and Deontay also said, this is not going to last 12 rounds. One of us will be knocked out. I wish there were no bells between rounds so we could continue.
“This is not just that Deontay fights with any other opponent. Obviously, Deontay had his reasons for taking this fight. But on Saturday, I’m going to show you why it was a mistake. I will be the new full-weight world champion.
“This is the Holy Grail, face the real world full weight champion. I want to be considered one of the best fighters in Cuba. I am very grateful to the coaches I had as a child who taught me the sport.
“I definitely want to thank Deontay, and all my team, for giving me this opportunity for a rematch. That’s what life is about. This will not be my last chance. I am here to fight and that is what you will see on Saturday night. ”
*** ABOUT WILDER VS. ORTIZ II ***
Wilder vs. Ortiz II includes the longest reigning world heavyweight boxing champion, Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder defending his WBC title in a rematch against Cuban fighter Luis “King Kong” Ortiz on Saturday November 23 at FOX Sports PBC Pay -Per-View live action from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The champion in three divisions Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz looks for a title in another division when he faces Miguel Flores.
For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com , http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com , follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes, @TGBPromotions, @MayweatherPromo and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions , www.facebook.com/foxsports and www.facebook.com/foxdeportes .
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Kieran Gething
“Boxing has helped me a lot in my life though, to centre my natural aggression and to build me physically and emotionally. I think it has had a massive impact on my character too, always wanting to be bigger, stronger and smarter than my opponents.”
FIGHT SCENE CATCH UP WITH KIERAN GETHING
“I Started boxing at 12 years of age. My brother took part in a session and was getting bullied by other kids there. Being the older brother I wanted to help, but in reality I was a bit of a wimp and couldn’t do so much!”
In a domain where violent prowess is the key to victory and weakness the poison for failure, there is an idiom that every fighter should know.
‘ It’s not about getting knocked down, it’s about getting back up ‘
Kieran Gething’s (9-2-1) start to professional boxing took a turbulent beginning, whereby his first three contests were shared over each of his tally’s: 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss. It was by no means a disastrous start, but it was something that the prospect from Pontypool was hoping would take a stronger path.
Fast-forward to June 2019, and Gething’s shaky beginning seems a distant memory, after capturing the Welsh Super Lightweight Championship in just 10 fights.
Along Gething’s journey to domestic kingship, there were dazzling performances against classy operators, where the 25-year-old displayed tactful development and a real ability to box with intelligence. But rather than credit one of his two stoppage victories as his most important outing as a professional, Gething regards his loss to Tony Dixon (10-2) as the underlying recipe for his incredible turnaround.
“The (Tony) Dixon fight is definitely my favourite. I learned a hell of a lot about myself and the sport in my losses, and how I need to approach contests. I wouldn’t say losing is a good thing because it feels terrible, but it definitely helps you grow and improve as a fighter. I knew that fight was a hell of a watch and I really enjoyed being a part of it.”
Gething’s battle against the former Super-Lightweight Champion (Dixon) was a bout which had everything in abundance. It was a fight in which Gething, despite losing on the scorecards, displayed both an ability to box and a willingness to trade leather against a formidable opponent. After settling into a six-fight win streak since his initial loss in March 2017, it was also Gething’s first opportunity to achieve silverware as a prizefighter. The Pontypool boxer’s personal narrative was beginning to take a similar shape to the late Bernard Hopkins (55-8-2), whom despite losing his professional debut would go on to capture three world championships and become one of the sports most formidable contestants.
After failing to get the nod from the judges however, Gething would fall short for the second time in his career. But rather than stew in the bitterness of defeat at an important stage in his career, Gething found value in defeat and has since showed the resilience needed for a long reign as champion.
“I’ve learned so many things, from knowing my own body and how to make weight easier to learning how to pace a fight differently and how to deal with injuries. I know when I need to peak as a professional fighter”.
After falling short against Dixon in his first attempt at the Welsh title, Gething channelled his inner Rocky and took on Henry Janes in February 2019 for the vacant Super Lightweight strap, this time emerging triumphant in a unanimous victory. Yet again, the Welsh fighter displayed an incredible ability to learn from past misfortunes and in doing so has culminated a prestigious domestic title in just 10 fights as a professional.
This was never the endgame for Gething however. Despite his miraculous start to life as a professional, the 25-year-old looks ahead to a Commonwealth clash in the near future.
“I’d like to fight for the British and Commonwealth title now, the winner of Akeem Ennis-Brown and Philip Bowes appeals to me. I want to be world champion”.
The number thirteen proved it’s notoriety once again for being an unlucky sum as Super-
Lightweight Champion Kieran Gething was held to a draw in his thirteenth professional contest.
Capable challenger: Jeff Ofori (10-1) was faced with the task of boxing the Pontypool champion
off the back of a convincing defence against Craig Woodruff in June, but much to the surprise of
the champion, Ofori was able to grind out a split decision draw.
“I definitely thought I’d done enough to win so I’m not very happy with the outcome of the fight.
I thought I did a really good job of keeping Ofori long and controlling the pace throughout the
rounds” said a frustrated Gething.
Despite the judges being unable to separate the two combatants, Gething still holds his BBBoC
Welsh title and once again gains valuable experience on the road to potential stardom. Now 9-
2-2, the Welsh prizefighter continues his reign over domestic competition and continues to
develop all areas of his game, one which hasn’t been short of setbacks.
“Looking back on it, I did actually think the fight went well. There wasn’t a game-plan as such
against an opponent like Ofori because he was so unorthodox but I was still able to keep him at
range and do enough to win the rounds. To get the victory taken away by a referee’s nod is
frustrating but I’m sure in myself I did enough to win”.
As many previous champions have shown, even the best of the best in Muhammad Ali, these
very setbacks are often the secret recipe for future success, and if there’s anything to judge
Gething’s growth on, it’s how he is able to come back stronger from pivotal moments in his
career time and time again.
Gething still holds the marbles in Welsh super-lightweight boxing, and is eager to test himself
against the best there is to offer.
The very best fighters all suffer defeat in one way or another. Albeit there are anomalies like the great Rocky Marciano, the skillful Floyd Mayweather, and Gething’s native Welshman: Joe Calzaghe, sometimes the greatest lessons a fighter can experience are in defeat. For Gething, there has been no excuses, only improvement. Now the acclaimed Welsh Super-Lightweight Champion, the future is looking increasingly prosperous for the man who just doesn’t take no for an answer.
Gething: “I feel the best I have in 12 months or more and look forward to showing you!!”
Watch Kieran Gething Promo HERE
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Kieran would like to thank his No 1 fans, the army of followers, supports and sponsors for their continued support:
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