Filip Hrgović: “I Never Pray to Win”

Croatian boxer Filip Hrgović has spoken openly about his faith and relationship with God, revealing that he never prays for victory before a fight, but instead asks God to protect both himself and his opponent. 

He believes boxing, to which he has been dedicated since childhood, was the path God used to draw him closer to Him. His remarks reveal a more personal, spiritual side of one of Croatia's best-known boxers.

For Hrgović, faith is not about winning or losing in the ring. Although boxing has been a major part of his life since he was 14, he believes the sport has played a much deeper role in his personal and spiritual development.

Speaking about his beliefs, Hrgović also addressed the question of why God would be on his side rather than that of Moses Itauma, whom he defeated in a fight for the world championship title.

“God used boxing to draw me to Himself”

Hrgović says he does not see faith as a guarantee of sporting success, nor does he believe God chooses the winner in the boxing ring.

“I don't see it that way. I think God used boxing and the various things I became attached to through the sport from childhood. Boxing probably isn't important to God. He probably doesn't follow it much – He's not a boxing fan,” Hrgović said.

However, he believes the sport was the path through which he developed a stronger connection with his faith.

“God used boxing to draw me to Himself,” he said.

“I never pray to win”

Hrgović also explained what he prays for before stepping into the ring.

“I never pray to win. I simply pray that God will protect both me and my opponent, and that He will be glorified in every victory I achieve and through the way I live my life. That's what I pray for,” he explained.

He added that he also asks God to let whatever is best for him happen, regardless of the fight's outcome.

He responds to those who question a boxer's faith

Hrgović also addressed criticism from people who find it difficult to reconcile combat sports with faith in God.

He believes prayer and boxing are not mutually exclusive, adding that similar questions could be raised about many other professions.

As an example, he pointed to the automotive industry, noting that cars can cause deaths and pollution, but that this does not mean people who work in the industry cannot be believers.

“If a car mechanic prays to God and helps repair cars that people later die in, will God ignore him? That kind of comment makes no sense to me,” he said.

For Hrgović, boxing is about more than victories and titles. It is also part of his personal journey toward faith. And his message is clear: when he enters the ring, he does not ask God to help him defeat his opponent, but to ensure that both of them come out of the fight safely.