Right-hand target practice for the Croatian boxer, the commentators announced in the first minute of the first round, as Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic shared the boxing ring in the co-main event of Wilder vs Zhang during the Riyadh Season earlier tonight.
The first round was a display of Hrgovic’s power, as he landed clean right hands on Dubois in quick succession. But Dubois, showing his mettle, absorbed those shots and continued to advance, undeterred by the aggressive onslaught from Hrgovic.
The second round was no different, as Hrgovic landed several left hooks and a big right hand to pressure Dubois. However, Dubois’ well-timed jabs seemed to stun Hrgovic every time they landed.
Dubois showed more activity in the second round, using the clinch and stinging Hrgovic with jabs, disrupting his rhythm, to finish the round on a high note. The replay showed a clash of heads, resulting in a cut around Hrgovic’s left eye.
The third round saw the Croatian fighter lose his grip a little bit, eating several clean punches from Dubois. However, he ended the round on a positive note, landing a clean right hand on Dubois, who ate it like a pie and kept pressuring Hrgovic.
Into the fourth round, Dubois started with stiff jabs, listening to his corner and working on their advise. However, Hrgovic once again looked in control, landing right hands after right hands, followed by a jab of his own to push Dubois on the backfoot.
The fifth round saw Dubois make more use of his jabs, which looked to be quite effective against an advancing Hrgovic. But once again, it was a right hand that landed clean on Dubois which almost put him on wobbly feet. Hrogovic was given a warning for hitting the back of Dubois’ head in the follow-up shots.
Daniel Dubois put his gas on the pedal in the sixth round
The sixth round saw Hrgovic using the same right hand, but Dubois looked more confident, and disrespectful of Hrgovic’s power. The seventh round started with Dubois landing some powerful shots on Hrgovic, who looked tired and a lot slower than previous rounds.
Replay showed a clash of heads once again, resulting in a cut on Hrgovic’s right eye as well. Dubois ended the round with colossal punches, connecting a straight and a left hook to stun him.
“How’s Hrgovic still standing” the commentators screamed as Dubois landed two more clean shots on the Croatian before the bell saved the day for Hrgovic.
Dubois came marching forward in the eighth round, forcing Hrgovic to go for a clinch. He connected a right hand, a left hand, and a straight in a series of unanswered shots before Hrgovic forced a clinch once again. Dynamite hammered several shots right after, prompting the Doctor to step in to check on Hrgovic’s eyes.
As we had it, the Doctor didn’t feel it was right for Hrgovic to continue the fight, giving a TKO win for Daniel Dubois. With the victory, Daniel Dubois has put his name forward as the potential next opponent for Anthony Joshua.
in the process, Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois also became the interim IBF heavyweight champion of the world. “Full respect to the guy, he’s a good fighter.” He said after the fight. “I’m glad I got this IBF belt, and onto the next.”
Speaking about Anthony Joshua, he shared, “This is my era, this is my time.”