Matchroom promoter, Eddie Hearn, has given the latest update on Filip Hrgovic’s potential to disrupt the proposed undisputed title fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
The undisputed heavyweight crown is the most prized title in the sport, and it looked like Fury and Usyk would be given the chance to become the first four-belt champion in the division since Lennox Lewis in 2003.
However, Hrgovic’s position as mandatory challenger for the IBF title may well crush those dreams, with Hrgovic hoping to either fight Usyk for the belt or force the Ukrainian to vacate the title.
In an interview on the Matchroom YouTube channel, Hearn updated fans on the ongoing situation with the Croatian.
“Usyk’s team and Fury’s team, particularly Usyk’s team, will do everything they can to avoid Filip Hrgovic for now, because they’d like to make the big fight with Tyson Fury. For us it’s difficult, because we obviously have a job to do for Filip Hrgovic, but we also know the Saudi team very well, who have been working very hard for the undisputed fight.
So, I’ve spoken to them, who obviously had their concerns and for boxing, I think that fight is very important but also, Filip Hrgovic is mandatory.”
“I’m sure there will be a resolution. Now, they’re talking about the chronological situation of perhaps the WBA mandatory as well, which I think is Daniel Dubois. This is just what happens when there is unified and undisputed fights but I’m sure it will get worked out.”
Despite Hearn co-promoting Hrgovic, his comments sound positive in the case for Fury and Usyk to face off next. Whatever happens, the promoter believes that there will be plenty of change in the division soon.
“I think belts are going to become vacant over the next six to twelve months, they always are when there is an undisputed champion. Now, it is about positioning yourself, Dillian Whyte, AJ [Anthony Joshua] of course, into a shot for the world heavyweight title.
AJ could be fighting the winner of Wilder-Ruiz, for the WBC world heavyweight title, he could be fighting Filip Hrgovic. Dillian Whyte could be fighting Joe Joyce for the WBO world title.”
“There is all kind of eventualities, the pressure will come from the mandatories, that’s just natural when there is a unified and, in this case potentially undisputed champion.”
It seems that the decision will be in the hands of the boxing boards and the respective teams of Fury, Usyk, and Hrgovic as fans wait patiently for news.
