Filip Hrgovic already knows the fight he wants after becoming IBF heavyweight champion.
Fresh off his stunning victory over Moses Itauma, the Croatian has his sights set on a rematch with Daniel Dubois, the only man to defeat him as a professional.
Hrgovic captured the vacant IBF heavyweight title by stopping Itauma in the ninth round. It was a dramatic victory after a difficult start that saw Hrgovic dropped in the second round and forced to weather the younger fighter’s early pressure. As Itauma began to fade, Hrgovic took control and eventually forced the stoppage.
Itauma has already expressed interest in running the fight back, but Hrgovic’s team appears to have another rematch at the top of its wish list.
Hrgovic Wants Another Shot At Daniel Dubois
Hrgovic’s trainer, Abel Sanchez, told Fight Hub TV that his fighter wants the opportunity to settle unfinished business with Dubois.
I think that he wants that rematch with Dubois. He wants that fight back.
Sanchez suggested Hrgovic believes circumstances worked against him in their first meeting and feels he wasn’t properly prepared for the fight.
He knows that he wasn’t prepared, he knows that he was sick, he knows all of that.
Hrgovic and Dubois met in June 2024, with Dubois handing the Croatian his first professional defeat. The fight was stopped after eight rounds because of significant cuts around Hrgovic’s eyes.
A second meeting would carry much bigger stakes if both men retain their championships, potentially setting up a heavyweight unification fight.
