What to Know
- IBF World Heavyweight champion Filip Hrgovic had plenty to say after Daniel Dubois’s win over Fabio Wardley in two rounds.
- After watching ringside, Hrgovic offered his hot takes on his heavyweight rivals.
- Hrgovic wants revenge against Dubois, the only man to ever beat him.
When IBF World Heavyweight champion Filip Hrgovic arrived at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday to watch the main event between WBO World Heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley, he was hard to miss.
It wasn’t just because the man nicknamed “El Animal” stands 6-foot-6 and likely walked in weighing north of 250 pounds. It wasn’t even because he was wearing a one-of-a-kind custom leather jacket displaying the red and white checkerboard pattern from the flag of his native Croatia.
Hrgovic made a memorable impression that fans are still talking about on the post-fight broadcast. If you missed his assessment of the heavyweight division after the main event, you missed one of the best parts of Saturday’s show. Fortunately, we have the full report.
Filip Hrgovic: Wardley Came Back Too Soon
Asked about the quick knockout win by Dubois, Hrgovic said Wardley was still too damaged from the first fight in May, and it colored his assessment of Dubois.
“It was too soon for him to fight, and he didn’t look good since first bell. I’m not impressed with the win (by Dubois). I’m the best champion out there. I’m future undisputed heavyweight champion. I’ll smash Dubois in a rematch, and I’m now coming for all the belts,” said Hrgovic.
“Something was wrong. It was probable damage from a first fight. Not everyone is Hrgovic. Not everyone has that iron chin after Moses Itauma. Three days after (the win), I was in the gym. Like no damage, nothing. Fresh!” said Hrgovic, who survived the early rounds against Itauma to come back and get a ninth-round knockout win.
Dubois vs Hrgovic 2 In The Works?
Hrgovic would love to get his revenge over Dubois. It is the only loss on his record. The June 2024 fight in Riyadh was stopped after the eighth round due to cuts suffered over both eyes by Hrgovic. Dubois had outperformed and outslugged Hrgovic, landing 20 more punches at nearly double the accuracy rate. But with heavyweights, one punch can chance the fight if the clock is still ticking.
“Man, I want that fight so much,” smiled Hrgovic. “He’s the only man who defeated me. I was sick. I was injured. I was cut since round one. Big cut on both eyes, and still, with all of that, I was winning the fight. So, I think 100% If I’m healthy without injuries, I will smash this guy.
“He’s not on my level. He’s slow. He got a good jab. I must admit that, okay? One of the best jabs in the division. But I will freaking smash this guy,” said Hrgovic.
Hrgovic was invited up into the ring after the victory by Dubois. The two exchanged a few words away from the microphone. What did he say to Dubois?
“I told him, you did easy job on Wardley. Let’s fight in March. Let’s have a one month break. It was easy fight, and then you have time for training camp for fight in March, March or April or whatever you want,” explained Hrgovic.
Later, Dubois’ trainer Don Charles was all for it, reminding the fans how the first fight went. Charles said they would leave it to promoter Frank Warren of Queensberry, adding it makes a lot of sense.
This isn’t likely, as Hrgovic is due to fight mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez of Cuba, who now trains in San Diego with Eddy Reynoso. The matchup could fulfill Hrgovic’s dream of bringing a heavyweight championship fight to Croatia. Hrgovic would also love to bring Wardley to Croatia.
“We’ll sell out good anywhere. So doesn’t matter where,” said Hrgovic, who then poked a little fun at Wardley, a man of few words.
“Of course, and don’t worry, I will sell the fight. I can talk. I look good. I can fight. He don’t talk so much, but he’s a good fighter,” laughed Hrgovic.
Hrgovic: Not Impressed By Jalolov
The conversation turned to a graphic display of the other top heavyweights. Asked to offer his assessment, Hrgovic was more than up to the task, starting with his take on Bakhodir Jalolov, the two-time Olympic gold medalist from Uzbekistan who fought on the undercard.
Hrgovic wasn’t impressed, to say the least.
“I didn’t watch this fight. This guy is boring as fuck. I didn’t watch how he did. It was quite boring. He won, but I just saw him fight. He’s just boring, guys. So right, delete him.”
How about Australia’s Justis Huni, who was beating Fabio Wardley round after round until Wardley knocked him out cold. “This guy doesn’t know how to box. He should go to kickbox or something.”
Encouragement for Moses Itauma
Turning to his most recent challenger, highly regarded British prospect Moses Itauma who Hrgovic defeated two months early, the champion had nothing but encouragement.
“This is (the) future. This guy will be undisputed in few years. No one ever will beat him if he can come back mentally.”
Hrgovic then spotted his own photo. “This motherfucker is tough. The best chin, the most, the best looking guy. He can talk. He can fight!” he laughed.
At first glance, Hrgovic didn’t recognize WBA regular titleholder and former cruiserweight champion Murat Gassiev of Russia. Given his name, Hrgovic said, “He’s a midget from Russia. He don’t belong here. He need to go back to cruiserweight.”
Hrgovic on Kabayel: ‘Easy Job’
Next up, the German heavyweight Agit Kabayel, who faces Nelson Hysa of Albania in Germany on November 28 for the WBC World Heavyweight title.
“This guy, come on, come on. Kabayel? He’s a normal fighter. I’ll play with him. He’s tough. He’s brave, but his style match is the best for me, and I’ll make easy job of him,” declared Hrgovic. As for his opponent? “He’s Albanian. He was decent amateur and a lot of experience. He maybe can surprise. You know, you never know.”
Hrgovic showed the former unified, undisputed world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk nothing but respect. “This guy is a legend, living legend. No bad words about him, but he’s done. He’s retired.”
Hrgovic also showed respect for former champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, scheduled to meet on December 11 in Cardiff, Wales.
“This guy (Fury) is also is a living legend, but he’s done. He’ll maybe do one more fight at home, so he’ll continue after the Joshua fight. He’s a big star. We need him, but I think he’s near the end. Joshua as well , great champion at one time, but I think he’s done as well. Maybe one more fight.”
Taking on Frank Sanchez
Looking down the road at his future mandatory challenger, Hrgovic was smart not to start any war of words too early.
“Sanchez is a good fighter, Big puncher, my mandatory challenger. So maybe also that fight is possible to be in Croatia next. We need to see what’s gonna happen next with my promoter, with my manager.
“Maybe that fight is next, or maybe unification. We still don’t know. But he’s a good puncher, And it’s a good fight.”
Hrgovic called former champion Joseph Parker “the best guy ever” and “a good human being.”
“He’s my friend, so I’m not gonna fight him. I don’t want to hurt him. He’s former world champion. He’s amazing guy, so I don’t want to fight with him, said Hrgovic.
Hrgovic said of American Jarrell Miller that he’s also a great guy, “but he’s done.” And after being reminded of his name, Hrgovic said he needs to see former British cruiserweight Richard Riakporhe in action at heavyweight. “We’ll see. He needs to have some big fight to see, is he good or what.”
Hrgovic enjoyed his turn as an analyst, saying “I love it. Am I a good analyst? (laughs).” We say he’s got a good future ringside. But not yet.
Heavyweight Division Promises to Deliver in 2027
“The good thing is, everybody wants to fight. They’re fighting men,” said promoter Warren after the fight.
“Even Filip in the ring, he was like ‘let’s get it on.’ Whatever happens, Daniel in my opinion is not the same fighter as he was even a year ago. He’s a totally different fighter now. We want to get these unifications. We want to get the best fighting the best, to find out who’s the best.
“There’s all sorts of permutations. One thing’s for sure. 2027 is going to be a phenomenal year. Great fights and they’re going to make big money,” said Warren, drawing a big delighted laugh from Dubois.
“I want to continue this momentum and take it into the next fight. That’s what I’m thinking,” said Dubois.
“Boxing, and certainly British boxing, is flying! The British public is coming out in droves to see these fights. It’s just so exciting. It’s a great time for British boxing, and world boxing,” said Warren.