Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois are set to face off in a highly anticipated fight for the IBF interim heavyweight title. There is speculation that the winner of this bout may be elevated to full IBF champion if reigning champ Oleksandr Usyk is stripped of the title. Eddie Hearn, Hrgovic’s promoter, has been vocal about his desire for the IBF belt to be made available for the Hrgovic-Dubois fight, but as of now, it seems unlikely that Usyk will be stripped before his rematch with Tyson Fury.
The decision to make the IBF interim heavyweight title available for the Hrgovic vs. Dubois winner without stripping Usyk has raised eyebrows in the boxing community. Hrgovic is already the IBF mandatory challenger, so it begs the question of the significance of the interim title being on the line. Hearn is adamant about Usyk being stripped in order for Anthony Joshua to have a chance to fight for the belt in September.
Joshua’s Title Belts
While Hearn believes that the IBF title is crucial for Joshua to possess in future fights against the Fury-Usyk II winner, some argue that it may not make a significant difference. Joshua has already suffered defeats at the hands of Usyk, so whether or not he holds the IBF title may not impact the public’s interest in a potential trilogy fight. However, winning the IBF belt could potentially bolster Joshua’s chances in a future bout against Fury.
As the boxing world awaits the outcome of the Usyk-Fury rematch and the Hrgovic vs. Dubois fight, there are mixed predictions about the potential outcomes. While some believe that Fury is the favorite to win the rematch, others hint at the possibility of a controversial decision similar to the one witnessed in Tyson’s victory over Francis Ngannou. The uncertainty surrounding the IBF title situation only adds to the intrigue of the upcoming heavyweight clashes.
Overall, the controversy surrounding the IBF interim heavyweight title fight highlights the complexities of the boxing landscape and the strategic maneuvers of promoters and sanctioning bodies. As fans eagerly anticipate the outcomes of these high-stakes matches, the debate over the importance of title belts continues to be a point of contention in the sport.