“Yes, that’s his loser mentality. That’s what he achieved throughout his career. That’s why he suffered 10 defeats and I suffered one defeat,” Hrgovic told iFL TV.

“It’s just an underdog mentality. I just take the pressure off myself like, ‘I’m a Doncaster boy.’ I’m here to fight the good fight. I don’t have to win. It puts pressure on him.”

“You know, it’s a loser’s mentality. So OK, I’ll take the pressure. I have to win. I’m a winner.

“He always had this mentality. ‘I’m fat. I don’t train. I don’t need to win. I’m tiny’. Come on, man. Don’t make excuses your whole life. Just train, be professional and go for the win.

“I expect him to be the best version of himself because this is a huge opportunity for him and it’s his hometown. I expect him to be in good shape.

“I think I’m definitely a tougher fight for him than Zhang. Zhang is aged, aged.

“I can also be fat if I don’t train and if I drink beer. I can be fat and be a journeyman and come to every fight and just say, ‘I don’t have to win.’ I’m here to fight the good fight. “

“I think I’m better. I’m faster. I’m better in all aspects of the fight. But you know, it’s heavyweight boxing. Anything can happen and he’s a brave guy. He always comes forward and steps up to the fight. So I think it’ll be a good fight.”

The situation surrounding all of Oleksandr Usyk’s world champion titles has already been determined before his fight with kickboxer Rico Verhoeven.

The WBC controversially put its belt on the line before this fight, meaning that Verhoeven, despite having little or no chance of winning, could win the belt in May 23 in Egypt.

The WBA announced today that the fight will count as a successful world title defense if Usyk wins, but the challenger will not be able to claim the belt, even if it causes seismic shocks. If this happens, a committee will meet on next steps.

The IBF has taken a similar stance, but while Verhoeven cannot win that title either, the sanctioning body will immediately declare the heavyweight belt vacant if Usyk loses.

The conditions under which Usyk can fight to remain champion are as follows:

1. If Usyk loses on May 23, 2026, the IBF heavyweight title will be immediately declared vacant.

2. If Usyk wins on May 23, 2026, the IBF will recognize the WBC’s position in the rotation and will order an IBF mandatory fight for one hundred and eighty (180) days thereafter.

3. If the WBA grants special permission, the IBF will recognize the WBA’s position in the rotation and order an IBF mandatory fight for one hundred and eighty (180) days thereafter.

4. The IBF reserves the right to change the mandatory deadline in the event of significant delays in the rotation.

After the fight with Verhoeven, Usyk will be ordered to face WBC mandatory Agit Kabayel, and promoter Frank Warren is sure that he will be stripped of the belt if he does not fulfill his obligation.