Filip Hrgovic’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision to allow Oleksandr Usyk to retain his IBF heavyweight title for the upcoming rematch with Tyson Fury. Hearn believes that Usyk should have been stripped of the title due to the long-overdue mandatory defense that Hrgovic was entitled to. As a result, Hrgovic’s opportunity to compete for the IBF belt has been postponed until at least 2025, causing frustration and disappointment for his camp.
Originally, Hearn had hoped to have the IBF title on the line for Hrgovic’s fight against Daniel Dubois on June 1st. The event, which was set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was supposed to feature a title bout between the two heavyweights. However, due to the decision to allow Usyk to keep his title, the fight between Hrgovic and Dubois will now be without any belts at stake, depriving both fighters of a significant opportunity to claim a world championship.
In discussing the anticipated rematch between Fury and Usyk, Hearn shared his perspective on the outcome of the fight. He acknowledged Usyk as the likely favorite to win the rematch, citing their previous bout as a close and competitive encounter that ultimately went in Usyk’s favor. Hearn emphasized the importance of the rematch for both fighters and the boxing community, highlighting the potential impact on future matchups involving the heavyweight division.
Hearn also weighed in on the significance of Fury potentially reclaiming the title from Usyk. He acknowledged that a victory for Fury would make a future bout between him and Anthony Joshua even more significant in the eyes of fans and critics. However, Hearn stressed the importance of Joshua’s focus on regaining the world heavyweight championship, regardless of who holds the title. He expressed hope for a future showdown between Joshua and Fury, while emphasizing Joshua’s commitment to reclaiming his status as a world champion.
Hearn voiced his discontent with the IBF’s decision to grant an exception to Usyk, allowing him to retain his title despite the mandatory defense obligations to other contenders, such as Hrgovic. He criticized the delay in Hrgovic’s title shot and emphasized the unfairness of making a fighter wait for years to get a chance at championship glory. Hearn called for a more balanced approach to handling mandatory challengers and expressed hope for a resolution that would ensure fair treatment for all fighters in the division.
The delay in Filip Hrgovic’s title shot highlights the complexities and challenges of navigating the competitive landscape of professional boxing. The decisions made by governing bodies and promoters have a profound impact on the careers and aspirations of fighters, shaping the future of the sport. As Hrgovic and his team await their opportunity to compete for the IBF heavyweight title, the boxing world watches with anticipation and concern over the fairness and integrity of the sport.