Heavyweight contender Filip Hrgovic proved his resilience in Riyadh as he overcame a gruesome cut and a spirited challenge from Britain’s David Adeleye to claim a unanimous decision victory and retain his WBO International title.

The Croatian, nicknamed El Animal, entered the ring aiming to solidify his place in the heavyweight top ten after his April win over Joe Joyce. Adeleye, meanwhile, was attempting to graduate from domestic level to the world stage, bringing with him heavy hands and youthful ambition.

The drama began early. In the second round, Adeleye opened a savage wound above Hrgovic’s right eye with a sharp left hand. Blood poured as the ringside doctor inspected the injury, but trainer Abel Sanchez worked frantically to keep his charge in the fight. Instead of unravelling, Hrgovic pressed forward, pumping out his jab and clubbing Adeleye to the body.

Adeleye responded with grit, landing clean hooks in the third and enjoying moments of success in the middle rounds. The Londoner’s trainer Adam Booth urged him to chase a stoppage, knowing the cards were slipping away. But Hrgovic’s experience and volume punching were beginning to tell. By the halfway stage, the Croatian was comfortably dictating the tempo, throwing nearly three times as many punches as his rival.

The contest ignited spectacularly in round eight. A booming right hand from Hrgovic floored Adeleye, sending shockwaves through the ANB Arena. Yet the Briton refused to wilt. Rising to his feet, he hurt Hrgovic with a furious rally, rocking the favourite and forcing the crowd to its feet in what will be remembered as one of the rounds of the year.

That wild exchange proved Adeleye’s final stand. Hrgovic steadied himself in the closing rounds, boxing with discipline and using his reach to blunt Adeleye’s attacks. When the scorecards were read—98-91, 99-90, 99-90—the verdict was clear.

For Hrgovic, now 19-1 (14 KOs), the win cements his revival after the setback against Daniel Dubois last year and keeps alive hopes of a crack at world honours. Possible match-ups with the winner of Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte, or even a rematch with Dubois, are already being discussed.

Adeleye, who falls to 14-2 (13 KOs), left Saudi Arabia with his reputation enhanced despite defeat. His courage, recovery from a knockdown, and ability to hurt a seasoned contender suggest he remains a player in the division’s future.

In the end, though, it was Hrgovic’s iron will and relentless pressure that carried the night in a brutal, bloody war.