Unbeaten Croatian heavyweight champion Filip Hrgovic (10-0, 8 KOs) will return to the ring on September 26 against Ondrej Pala (33-5, 23 KOs) at a boxing night in Denmark.
The last time Olympic bronze medalist fought on December 7, when he knocked out former world title challenger Eric Molina in round 3 and retained his WBC International title at the Diriya Arena in Saudi Arabia.
Hrgovic says he is delighted to be back in the ring as hopes to continue his journey to the top with an active end to the year.
“I am looking forward to getting back into the ring. I have not competed in 10 months," said the 28-year-old boxer from Zagreb. "I need to be active and I need to fight, so it is very important for me to get the next fight as soon as possible. I am looking forward to the fight in Denmark, I have never been there. I have fought in many countries around the world, but have never been to Denmark, so I am glad that I can conquer new territory."
“If this fight goes well for me, I will be ready to fight again in the United States. I already have a second fight scheduled two months after the first. If all goes well, I hope to fight again at the end of 2020. I think I am the best in the world, but I am serious about this fight and will prepare as if I am going to fight the world champion,” Hrgovic said.
Pala, who previously returned to the amateurs aiming to represent his country at the Tokyo Olympics, is set to compete in the pro ring again.
“I've made dozens of pre-fight announcements in my career and that's enough for me,” said the 36-year-old boxer from Prague. "Everything I want to say will be said by me after the first bell. I love this sport and I'm going to fight."
