IBF mandatory contender disrupts undisputed heavyweight title fight plans
Head of promotional company Matchroom Boxing Eddie Hearn stated that representatives of the WBA / WBO / IBF / IBO heavyweight title holder Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) and WBC champion Tyson Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) are trying to avoid the duel between Ukrainian and Croat Filip Hrgovic (14-0, 12 KOs).
“Certainly the Usyk and Fury teams will do their best to avoid Filip Hrgovic now as they want to put on a big fight. It’s difficult for us because, of course, we have work to do for Hrgovic. But we also know the team in Saudi Arabia very well. They will work very hard to arrange a fight for the title of absolute champion. I have spoken to them and naturally they are concerned.”
“I am sure this fight is very important for boxing, but at the same time, Filip Hrgovic is the mandatory challenger. I am convinced that a decision will follow. And we also talk about the chronology of events. There is probably also a mandatory WBA defense involving Daniel Dubois.
This happens when unifications and fights for the title of absolute champion take place. But I am sure that we will work together,” said the promoter.
We will remind, Eddie Hearn said that the IBF ordered Usyk to meet mandatory challenger Hrgovic. The promoter of the Ukrainian Oleksandr Krasyuk said that until the date of the auction has been set, the IBF will have the right to sanction the unification fight between Usyk and Tyson Fury, since this rank of the fight is a priority for all four organizations.
Croatian Hrgovic defeated Zhang Zhilei of China in August to become the mandatory contender for the IBF world title. Promoter Oleksandr Krasyuk called Khrgovych a possible rival for Usyk among the mandatory contenders for the Ukrainian belt.
Usyk challenged Fury after defeating Anthony Joshua. Soon, the Ukrainian said that it was impossible to fight Tyson this year. Krasyuk said that the working date of the Usyk-Fury fight is February 18th.
Source: Sportarena
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