Advertisement
Boxing
Former British heavyweight champion weighs in on latest blockbuster test
Itauma vs Whyte - TONIGHT - only on DAZN PPV
David Adeleye has not ruled out fighting for the British heavyweight title again in the future, but insists his focus is solely on securing victory over Filip Hrgovic in Riyadh tonight.
The 28-year-old will contest the biggest bout of his professional career so far against an imposing foe beneath Moses Itauma and Dillian Whyte's bout, live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
Adeleye made waves across the division when he defeated Jeamie Tshikeva in April amid controversial circumstances, securing a sixth-round TKO at Manchester's Co-op Live.
The British Board of Boxing Control subsequently ordered an immediate rematch after the former hit his rival after a break call from referee Ron Kearney, leading to his triumph.
DAZNHowever, Adeleye has opted to vacate his title in order to mount a pursuit at world level, and will test his mettle against former Olympic medalist Hrgovic in Saudi Arabia's capital.
Speaking ahead of the clash however, he has not ruled out returning to challenge for the Lonsdale Belt again down the line, though he remains squarely focused on the Croatian.
"If the time is right and the opportunity arises again," he told DAZN News. "I don't even care [who takes it now]. I'm doing what I need to do to get that win [against Hrgovic].
"I'm doing alright. We'll see in three weeks [if I can unlock] him, but I back myself. I'm feeling confident. I saw little bits of him [in Manchester]. I know what he's like as a fighter."
Hrgovic last fought on the same bill as Adeleye earlier this spring, securing a points victory over Joe Joyce to follow him his first career loss against Daniel Dubois a year prior.
For Adeleye, it marks a first fight overseas since his only career loss, a seventh-round TKO defeat to Fabio Wardley in 2023 that precipitated a year-long absence from the ring.
Having rebuilt his reputation with two impressive domestic performances, the star is keeping a low profile outside of the sport as he prepares for a second crack on foreign soil.
"[Fighting overseas] makes a big difference, I suppose," he added. "The big difference is not waking up in your own bed. I don't do anything crazy.
"Even what I do in my spare time is still sports. My hobbies are playing other sports. I like playing sports like padel. My life's pretty boring."
Watch Itauma vs Whyte live on DAZN
You can watch Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte live on DAZN on August 16. More information is available here.
