Filip Hrgovic Survives Bad Cut, Wins Unanimous Decision Over David Adeleye

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Filip Hrgovic may not have delivered the flawless performance he promised, but he emerged from a thrilling ten-round battle with David Adeleye with his hand raised and his place among the heavyweight top 10 intact.

On Saturday night in Saudi Arabia, Hrgovic (19-1, 14 KOs) defended his WBO International heavyweight title via unanimous decision, overcoming a deep cut, a knockdown, and a furious late rally from the British challenger. The judges scored it clearly for the Croatian, though the fight was anything but straightforward.

The Fight: A Brutal Chess Match

The opening rounds were fast-paced. Adeleye (14-2, 13 KOs) surprised many with a confident start, controlling the center of the ring and landing stiff jabs. In round two, he cut Hrgovic badly above the right eye with a sharp left hook, leaving the Croatian drenched in blood.

Rather than panic, Hrgovic leaned into his trademark pressure, bullying Adeleye to the ropes and pounding the body. By the midway point, the punch stats told the story: Hrgovic had thrown nearly three times as many punches, steadily wearing his opponent down.

But Adeleye refused to fold. His trainer Adam Booth urged him to “let your hands go” in round seven, and the Londoner responded with bursts of hooks that kept the fight competitive.

Round of the Year Candidate

Then came round eight, one of the wildest rounds heavyweight boxing has seen in years.

Hrgovic floored Adeleye with a massive overhand right. Just when it seemed over, Adeleye roared back, wobbling Hrgovic badly and unloading a barrage of hooks that had the Croatian staggering. Both men fought on unsteady legs, trading bombs until the bell. It was a round that will live long in highlight reels.

Closing the Show

Shaken but not broken, Hrgovic recovered in round nine and boxed smartly behind his jab. Adeleye, having emptied the tank, slowed down. In the tenth and final round, Adeleye needed a knockout, but Hrgovic leaned, clinched, and stayed disciplined to hear the final bell.

When the cards came in, all three judges sided with Hrgovic. The win preserves his standing in the world rankings and keeps alive his hopes of another crack at the elite.

What’s Next?

For Hrgovic, the victory represents more than just keeping his belt. After a frustrating run of injuries and setbacks, he proved he is still a dangerous player. A showdown with a top-five name now beckons — perhaps Joe Joyce in a rematch, or even a final eliminator for Oleksandr Usyk’s world titles.

For Adeleye, the loss may sting, but his stock rose in defeat. He pushed Hrgovic to the brink, showed grit under fire, and announced himself as more than just a domestic-level champion. At only 28, he remains a factor in the division’s future.

Final Verdict:
This wasn’t the easy “keep-busy fight” Hrgovic expected. Instead, it was a brutal, high-drama war that reminded fans why heavyweight boxing is the most unpredictable show in sports.

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