Hrgovic predicts he can stop Dubois and already has a ‘psychological advantage’

Filip Hrgovic is clearly confident ahead of his June 1 meeting against Daniel Dubois, Saturday June 1 in Saudi Arabia.

The pair will compete in the Matchroom vs Queensberry tournament, which serves as the undercard of Dmitrii Bivol’s WBA light heavyweight title defense against replacement opponent Malik Zinad, following Artur Beterbiev’s withdrawal from the undisputed encounter with Bivol in due to injury.

Hrgovic (17-0, 14 KO) and Dubois (20-2, 19 KO) have a sparring history, having shared rounds together several years ago.

Speaking to Queensberry’s YouTube channel ahead of the fight, Croatian Hrgovic is confident his own mental strength will play a vital role in Dubois’ downfall on June 1 in Riyadh.

“I think I have a psychological advantage with this sparring session, but the fight is a fight. It was a long time ago. We will see what happens this Saturday,” Hrgovic said.

Last December, Dubois proved his critics wrong with a bold and matter-of-fact victory over Jarrell Miller following questions about his heart after being accused of taking the easy way out following losses to Joe Joyce and, last August , against Oleksandr Usyk.

Hrgovic continued to call Dubois a quitter, but congratulated the Englishman on his victory against Miller, adding that Dubois, 26, was a “solid fighter.”

“He (Dubois) gave up twice. It’s not good for a fighter to give up, but I think he’s a solid fighter. He has proven in some fights that he is a good fighter, especially in his last fight. He proved that he can fight in the final rounds as well,” Hrgovic said.

Despite Dubois’ valiant performance against Miller, Hrgovic is confident he can stop his opponent from a distance. Hrgovic believes Dubois doesn’t respond well to fighters who press the action or punches.

“I think he (Dubois) has trouble taking hits he doesn’t like. He doesn’t like getting punched and hit. He’s not very good with it. I think I’m the opposite. I proved that I have a very good chin,” added Hrgovic

“I have never been stopped in more than 100 amateur fights and never in sparring. I think I have this quality of never giving up, and I think if I put good pressure on and hit him with my best shots, I will stop him.