Unbeaten heavyweight contender Filip Hrgovic is being groomed for a fight with Anthony Joshua, with the Croatian’s camp believing they have the beating of the WBA Super, WBO and IBF champion.
Co-promoter Nisse Sauerland feels the former Olympic Silver Medallist has the amateur foundation and professional steel to match Joshua. Hrgovic narrowly lost out to Tony Yoka in the super-heavyweight final of the Rio Olympics but has since passed the Frenchman in the pro ranks. The 28-year-old Hrgovic is highest rated by the IBF, who currently place him at No.7 in their rankings.
“As far as ambitions go, it’s backed up by that pedigree,” Sauerland told Sky Sports. “[Hrgovic] believes he can beat Joshua – and so do we. But it’s just a question of getting those fights and we will.
“If the Joshua fight came tomorrow, he’d take it for the right conditions, but I’ve said this a million times: ‘Why would they fight him?’ He needs to get into a position where no-one can get away from fighting him.”
The hulking Hrgovic (10-0, 8 KOs) was last seen knocking out former heavyweight title challenger Eric Molina in three rounds on the Joshua-Ruiz II undercard in Saudi Arabia in December.
He helped Wladimir Klitschko prepare for his clash with Joshua in April 2017 and the Ukrainian great is among his admirers, believing Hrgovic is a heavyweight champion in waiting.
Sauerland, who has worked with contenders Kubrat Pulev and Dereck Chisora in the past, certainly feels the 6ft 6ins Hrgovic can surpass their achievements in his march to the heavyweight titles.
“He’s an interesting guy. Top man, but you wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of him. I think Wladimir [Klitschko was] a little softer than Filip,” claimed Sauerland.
“Filip is just a natural-born fighter. Undoubtedly, he’s the best heavyweight I’ve ever worked with. Undoubtedly. He’s got it all.”