Kalle Sauerland, promoter of heavyweight Filip Hrgovic, is ready to get his man a title shot if the Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury talks collapse – something he things is likely to happen.
The Undisputed Heavyweight Championship of the World is closer to being made than ever, but, unfortunately for boxing fans, there’s a chance it falls at the final hurdle.
Fury and Usyk have been in official talks since December of 2022, with some discussions likely to have taken place even earlier. Despite there being no broadcast or promotional disputes, nothing has been signed.
The fight, whilst huge, is holding up the division’s other fighters. Filip Hrgovic is mandatory challenger for Usyk’s IBF title, but the sanctioning body has agreed to hold this until the undisputed bout has taken place.
Although not involved in the negotiations, Sauerland told IFL TV he would be surprised if the four-belt fight is made. If he’s proved correct, he’ll have Hrgovic waiting in the wings.
“I genuinely for boxing hope that fight happens, but if it doesn’t happen then it’s got to be put right for Filip Hrgovic.”
“I’d be surprised if it does [happen] but I don’t know. There’s clearly valuations internally, whether it’s on the Usyk side or the Fury side or the promoters side – let’s put it this way, the X plus the Y doesn’t equal the Z at the moment does it?”
The unbeaten Croatian is now without an opponent, and may hold off on the search for one as the Fury-Usyk talks come to an end.
