Filip Hrgovic vs Marko Radonjic – Results & Post Fight Report

Filip Hrgovic topped a card at the Worthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt, Austria, and the Croatian heavyweight defended his IBF international title, forcing Marko Radonjic to retire after three one-sided rounds where he was dropped five times in total.

Hrgovic is among a crop of 2016 Olympians looking to move into world title class, alongside Tony Yoka and Joe Joyce, and the bronze medallist from Rio had far too much for the overwhelmed Radonjic here, who came into this one unbeaten in 22, with all of those bouts ending early.

Hrgovic began with authority in the opening round, and it wasn’t long before the floodgates opened. Round two saw a short right hand from Hrgovic land high on the top of the head of Radonjic, and the Montenegrin was on the canvas, with his legs all over the place. He beat the count, but was swiftly on the deck again from a sharp right hand. Again he rose, but again he was dumped to the floor as his legs betrayed him.

Hrgovic made it four knockdowns in the round, as rapid work to the body felled Radonjic. There was a strong argument for the fight to be stopped there and then, but on it went, and Radonjic was back on the floor again in round three, this time from an accumilation of head and body shots. At the end of the round, the referee wisely decided to withdraw Marko from battle, giving Hrgovic the victory.

There was plenty of British interest on the undercard, and John Ryder ticked over while he awaits a possible world title shot, scoring a fifth round stoppage win against Jozef Jurko. Ryder has been waiting for a crack at WBA super middleweight champion, David Morrell Jr, but took this fight at light heavyweight, where there are whispers that he could be in line to meet WBA champion, Dmitry Bivol. Ryder went through the gears well in this contest, and the fifth saw ‘The Gorilla’ go straight on the attack, with Jurko’s face a bloody mess. Ryder picked his opponent off with hurtful uppercuts, and an accumulation of punches forced the referee to step in.

At super lightweight, Dalton Smith banked ten rounds for the first time in his professional career, and ‘Thunder’ took a landslide points win against Brian Pelaez. Three scores of 99-91 moved the Sheffield man to 9-0.

19-year-old Essex based cruiserweight, John Hedges, extended his record to 3-0, as he dominated his six rounder against Frane Radnic. All three judges scored ‘The Gentleman’ a 60-54 winner.

At super middleweight, Abass Baraou knocked out Jay Spence inside a round, and Oliver Zaren took a six round points win against Pavol Garaj.