Index.hr reports that the best Croatian boxer Filip Hrgović (12-0), will meet American Michael Hunter (19-1-1).
His Team Sauerland confirmed this on social media, where a poster of the two boxers was posted. The date of the fight is not yet known.
Whoever wins this fight will get a chance to win the IBF title. Namely, the winner awaits the better of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
The date of the fight is not yet known.
Hunter is currently fourth in the challenger rankings and was supposed to fight second-placed compatriot Charles Martin, but the latter has since withdrawn.
Let’s do this baby!!! ????? #HrgovicHunter pic.twitter.com/bLJEJY2Afw
— Kalle & Nisse Sauerland (@SauerlandBros) February 26, 2021
Since the third challenger, Ukrainian Oleksandr Usik, is not interested in the IBF title and allegedly wants to box for the world title according to the World Boxing Organization (WBO) version, the next in line is Hrgovic. The IBF title, let us remind you, is held by Briton Anthony Joshua.
Hrgovic’s British promoter Eddie Hearn said recently that he had already offered this fight to Hunter but received no response. However, it is one thing to box against Hrgovic in a regular fight and another for the first challenger’s position in the IBF rankings, writes boxingnews24.com.
Namely, the Hrgovic – Hunter fight winner will finally get the opportunity to box against the winner of two fights between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
Hunter has said before that Hrgovic’s promoters have his number and are free to contact him.
“Hrgovic and I fought twice in the same program last year. I fought harder opponents every time, and after the fight, I would ask them: Why don’t you want to let me fight Filip Hrgovic? They answered me how there is always a green light and that they are just preparing him for that caliber of fighting. If he is ready, so am I. I am absolutely ready to fight against Hrgovic; in fact, I have asked for it a couple of times already,” Hunter said last year.
For the Croatian boxer, this means a chance for a direct path to the title. It brings risk, but it would be accepted by anyone who wants to progress, especially because Hunter is not a particularly big world name and is smaller than Hrgovic.
According to the BoxRec rankings, Hunter is the seventh heavyweight in the world, and in front of him are big names like Joshua, Wilder, Povetkin, and Fury.
Hrgovic holds 20th place on the list of the best heavyweights in the world.
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