Hrgovic: Unifying Heavyweight Division Easier Than Beating Itauma

Filip Hrgovic believes prospective heavyweight unification fights with Agit Kabayel and Daniel Dubois would suit him better stylistically than his recent victory over Moses Itauma.

The IBF champion is allowing a cut above his eye to heal before returning to full training, while mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez and his team are pressing for an immediate title fight.

Hrgovic described Itauma’s speed, southpaw stance and natural ability as the qualities that made the young heavyweight such a difficult opponent.

“I beat the hardest guy in the division, I beat the most talented guy, the fastest guy, southpaw,” Hrgovic told TalkSport Boxing.

Kabayel, the WBC champion, and WBO title-holder Dubois would present different challenges, but Hrgovic considers both men easier for him to box.

“I think him and Kabayel stylistically, you know, speed-wise, they will be much easier fights because they are not so fast, they are not southpaws,” he said. “They are easier, easier to box. They are maybe more experienced and it will be, you know, tough fights both of them, but I think I’ll handle, handle them easier, much easier, you know, than, than this kid.”

A second fight with Dubois would carry its own history. Dubois previously defeated Hrgovic and has since said that result has “aged well” following the Croatian’s victory over Itauma. Dubois described their meeting as a hard fight in which they “gritted it out”.

Dubois is due to face Fabio Wardley at London’s O2 Arena on October 17, making the first defence of the WBO belt he won by stopping Wardley in the 11th round of their May encounter.

Kabayel, elevated to full WBC champion in June, is expected to announce a November defence in Germany. The Ring’s Mike Coppinger has reported that a possible unification fight with Hrgovic is being targeted for next year.

Sanchez demands his mandatory fight

Hrgovic’s unification plans may depend on how the IBF handles Sanchez’s position as mandatory challenger. The Cuban’s adviser, Guadalupe Valencia, said his fighter intends to enforce his status rather than accept money to step aside.

“Now Frank is the mandatory for Hrgovic. We plan on enforcing it. We’ve already had discussions about it. It’s happening,” Valencia said. “There’s not going to be step-asides for no amount of money.”

According to Valencia, Sanchez told him during and after the Itauma fight that he believed he could beat both heavyweights and wanted Hrgovic next.

Hrgovic, meanwhile, is not yet ready to resume full training. He travelled to Spain for a two-week holiday with his wife and daughter after the fight, having not seen them for three months, and is waiting for the cut above his eye to heal sufficiently for sparring.

“He has the cut over his eye and he has to heal up to make sure he can go to training and sparring,” Keith Connolly said.

Itauma is expected to return in early 2027. His promoter, Frank Warren, initially had reservations about making the Hrgovic fight before being persuaded by Itauma’s team and plans to discuss the changes required with the boxer and his camp following the defeat.

Turki Alalshikh has also identified Rico Verhoeven as a possible future challenger if Hrgovic successfully defends his title. Before any voluntary defence or unification can be arranged, however, Hrgovic must recover from the cut and address Sanchez’s mandatory claim.