Filip Hrgovic is back in boxing’s world heavyweight title picture after that recent defeat of Joe Joyce in Manchester.
‘El Animal’ had redemption as his goal for the first time in his pro career heading into that Manchester showdown, coming off a devastating first ever pro defeat at the hands of Daniel Dubois last summer.
Dubois went on to pick up the IBF heavyweight title, and successfully defended it by crushing Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in September. No doubt with Hrgovic feeling that it could have been him shocking that near 100,000 crowd at the iconic London venue.
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Instead the Croatian star (18-1 with 14 wins inside distance) had to rebuild, and that rebuilding began when he stepped in as a late stand-in to face Joyce after Dillian Whyte pulled out with a hand injury.
Despite taking the fight at only a few weeks’ notice, Hrgovic was in plenty good enough shape to repel ‘The Juggernaut’ in a bruising encounter in Manchester. He could not put Joyce away despite the British star being easy to hit, but he did weather a few storms himself on the way to a unanimous decision victory.
IBF orders Sanchez fight
Now Hrgovic is back in the picture to get a shot at the IBF title he almost nearly claimed last year – with the IBF ordering an eliminator against Cuban slickster Frank Sanchez for the vacant #1 spot in its rankings.
Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions confirmed this week that they are in negotiations for that fight, and it could very well be next on the Hrgovic schedule.
It remains to be seen of course when Hrgovic would get a title shot even if he signs to meet Sanchez and then overcomes the 32-year-old Cuban star. British veteran Dereck Chisora is currently the mandatory challenger for the title held by Dubois.
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The other fly in the ointment for ‘El Animal’ is the likely unification showdown that Dubois appears set to take in next, against the great Oleksandr Usyk. They are reportedly in talks for a Wembley Stadium showdown on Saturday July 12. Unification fights take precedence over mandatory defences.
So at this stage it appears the best case scenario for Hrgovic is that he overcomes Sanchez, takes the #1 spot in the IBF rankings, and then gets a title shot at some stage in 2026. If things go perfectly according to plan.
Is Sanchez a big threat?
Sanchez meanwhile is in a very similar position to Hrgovic, currently trying to rebuild his career at elite level after a damaging defeat in 2024. He was knocked out in seven rounds by rising German star Agit Kabayel on the Fury vs Usyk card last May.
Frank though was hampered by knee problems at the time and has since undergone surgery. He then made a low-key return to action in Mexico in February, stopping the unheralded Ramon Olivas Echeverria inside three rounds. At his best he’s a hugely talented boxer and a difficult puzzle to solve. A showdown with Hrgovic would present a fascinating clash of styles, and it’s a fight we’d be fascinated to see.
Who are the current heavyweight champions?
Right now the belts are in the possession of two men.
Usyk (23-0) holds the WBC, WBO, WBA, Ring magazine and lineal title after those back-to-back wins over Tyson Fury in 2024.
Dubois is the IBF king after being awarded the title vacated by Usyk in 2024, and then successfully defending it vs Anthony Joshua in September.
