Anthony Joshua is the ultimate target for up-and-coming heavyweight prospect Filip Hrgovic – according to his promoter Nisse Sauerland.
The 28-year-old Croatian star Hrgovic is 12-0 with 10 wins inside distance, and was most recently seen out in a convincing demolition of Rydell Booker last November.
Now Hrgovic is ranked #5 by the IBF and is expected to face the #4 Michael Hunter (19-1-1) in a fascinating final eliminator for the title currently held by Joshua. This because #3 Oleksandr Usyk is targeting the WBO title, while #2 Charles Martin is apparently out of the picture right now.
Joshua is right for Hrgovic
Sauerland told Sky Sports: “I would prefer Filip to fight Joshua, simply stylistically. They are both big, strong guys but Filip can move more and is less robotic. Fury is a nightmare for anyone because you just don’t know what he will do.
“It’s amazing what Fury can do for such a big man. Joshua is a powerhouse, he’s an Adonis. But if I had to pick someone stylistically for Filip? I would pick Joshua.”
While Joshua may be the ultimate target for Hrgovic, Sauerland is absolutely not overlooking the immediate challenge – that tricky test against the highly-rated Hunter.
Hunter a real test
He explained: “Hunter is game. You can’t knock him. He’s been a road warrior, stopping Martin Bakole and having a close fight with Alexander Povetkin. This isn’t an easy fight but we believe Filip has the tools to win.
“Hunter is a great fighter but the size and power of Filip will be too much for him. Filip has only had 12 fights so we’re happy that he’s getting a proper test. We didn’t hesitate. You would be crazy not to accept.
“It’s a good fight. We have wanted a step up the whole time. But people out-price themselves when it’s time to fight Filip.”
Even if Hrgovic does get past Hunter, it may be a while before that world-title shot is incoming. Joshua of course is likely to face Fury in a money-spinning unification clash this summer. Followed by an immediate rematch.
There has been talk of Fury potentially vacating the IBF belt should he overcome AJ in the summer, which would of course then leave the way open for Hrgovic and the other title hopefuls.
