Amir ‘Hardcore’ Mansour (23-2-1, 16 KOs) has replaced Gary Cornish as the opponent for Filip Hrgović’s (5-0, 4 KOs) WBC International Heavyweight Championship contest on September 8 at the Arena Zagreb in Croatia.
Cornish has been ruled out on medical grounds giving the former WBC United States and WBF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion Mansour the chance to further his World title ambitions following an impressive win over countryman Travis Kauffman last year.
Despite the change of opponent, Hrgović remains focused on victory, and while the Rio 2016 Olympic Bronze Medallist admits he will have to alter his preparations to fit his new foe, the 26 year-old is motivated land his first major title.
“I haven’t had much time to study Mansour yet,” says Hrgovic. “I know he’s a southpaw and slightly shorter than my original opponent so I will have to alter my training accordingly, but as I always say, you have to be able to beat anyone if you want to become World Champion.
“The technical and physical aspects of my preparations will remain the same. I have to be prepared for a tough fight against someone who will definitely have a lot of motivation to put me down.
“I never want to rank boxers so I will not say whether this is a tougher test, but Mansour being better ranked internationally with a lot of experience definitely make him a serious threat.
“I believe Mansour will be motivated to show his value by beating me and claiming the WBC International belt. That being said, I will not let him grab that chance. It will be two great champions fighting hard on September 8 to gain the respect they deserve.”
A full undercard showcasing many of Croatia’s top boxing talents will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for the Zagreb Fight Night on September 8 featuring Filip Hrgović vs. Amir Mansour start at 110 KN and are available online via www.eventim.hr.
Undercard fights confirmed for ‘explosive’ night of boxing at Arena Zagreb
The Arena Zagreb will play host to an ‘explosive’ night of boxing on September 8 with a further six fights confirmed for the ‘action-packed’ event, headlined by a WBC title fight for Croatia heavyweight star Filip Hrgović.
Filip Hrgović, the Rio 2016 Olympic Bronze Medallist, now 5-0, will face Amir Mansour for the WBC International Heavyweight title in his toughest career test. A hometown victory will be a massive boost for the 26 year-old as looks to dominate the professional ranks on his way to becoming Heavyweight Champion of the World.
Two-time World Champion Ivana Habazin who travelled to Vienna, Austria to claim the IBO Female World Middleweight Championship against Elene Sikmashvili in March will make her first defence against Gifty Amanua Ankrah.
Ema Kozin will challenges Irais Hernandez for the vacant WBC Silver Female euzeu title in the evening’s third championship contest, while heavyweight Agron Smakici returns to action against Spain’s Gabriel Enguema.
Now confirmed for the undercard, Damir Beljo, unbeaten in his twenty-four pro contests, takes on Lukas Pazkowsky in a ten-round cruiserweight clash, undefeated German light heavyweight Leon Bunn will face Emmanuel Feuzeu over eight-rounds and Croatian debutant Josip-Bepo Filip meets Serbia’s Predrag Jevtic in a four-round cruiserweight contest.
Also on the card, heavyweight Ivica Perkovic is back over six-rounds against as yet to be confirmed opponent, Ivica Bacurin battles Tamas Bajzath in a six-round cruiserweight clash and fellow 200lber Edin Puhalo also returns to action.
Promoter Nisse Sauerland, for Team Sauerland, says: “We’re excited to reveal an action-packed undercard for September 8. It is going to be an explosive night of boxing at the Arena Zagreb! Joining future World Champion Filip Hrgović in the ring we have many of Croatia’s top boxing talents. This will be a great event that fight fans do not want to miss.”
Said Zeljko Karajica, CEO of 7Sports, the sports unit of the ProSiebenSat.1 Group and Managing Director of the operating event agency MMP Event GmbH: “Not only do we have a spectacular main event with Filip Hrgović facing Amir Mansour for WBC International belt, but also an undercard that guarantees great fights and excitement. This is the start of something special for Filip and the other Croatian fighters. The Arena Zagreb will be rocking on September 8!”
Three title fights confirmed for Zagreb as Kozin contests WBC Silver belt
Three title fights are now set for September 8 the Arena Zagreb with undefeated Slovenian boxer Ema Kozin’s confirmed to be contesting the WBC Silver Female Super Middleweight title against Mexico’s Irais Hernandez.
Kozin’s joins heavyweight star Filip Hrgović, who will face Amir Mansour for the WBC International title, and two-time World Champion Ivana Habazin, defending her IBO World Middleweight belt against Gifty Amanua Ankrah, in championship action for what promises to be the Croatian capital’s biggest night of boxing.
At just 19 years of age, Kozin’s has already compiled an impressive resume. She is a former WBF World titleholder, who will enter the ring at the Arena Zagreb following back-to-back victories over former IBF World Champion Eva Bajic.
“This will be another exciting addition to our fight card,” said Promoter Nisse Sauerland, for Team Sauerland. “Fans at the Arena Zagreb can now look forward to three title fights plus a stacked undercard that we will announce shortly.”
Zeljko Karajica, CEO of 7Sports, the sports unit of the ProSiebenSat.1 Group and Managing Director of the operating event agency MMP Event GmbH, says: “With ticket prices starting at just 110 KN, we are offering great value for money. There will be up to ten fights featuring three championship contests and the very best of Croatian boxing.”
Tickets for the Zagreb Fight Night on September 8 featuring Filip Hrgović vs. Amir Mansour start at 110 KN and are available online via www.eventim.hr.
