Tony Bellew believes a rematch between Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic, who squared off in 2024, would be far less competitive this time around.
The two heavyweights delivered a thrilling spectacle in their first encounter, with many believing that Hrgovic had done enough to build a slight lead.
Dubois, however, was gaining increasing momentum and, by round eight, the two cuts over Hrgovic’s eyes had worsened to the extent that it was deemed unsafe for him to continue.
If not for those cuts, then it may have been a different story but, ultimately, Dubois showed tremendous grit and impetus to win their contest.
Since then, the knockout artist has found himself on the winning and losing sides of fifth-round stoppages against Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk, respectively, and is now coming off back-to-back triumphs over Fabio Wardley.
Their first encounter, in May, saw him score an 11th-round finish after surviving two knockdowns, before retaining his WBO world title with a second-round stoppage in their rematch last weekend.
Based on that performance, former world champion Bellew has told The Stomping Ground that he believes Dubois, a two-time heavyweight champion, would defeat Hrgovic in emphatic fashion if they were to meet again.
“I don’t think Daniel Dubois would ever lose a rematch when he’s won the first fight. He’s got so much belief, and is so single-track minded, that I don’t think anyone’s getting through him in a rematch.
“Filip Hrgovic – when he spoke after the [Dubois-Wardley rematch] and said this guy’s [Dubois’] got a hell of a jab; he’s so strong … he’s already in trouble; Filip Hrgovic is already in major trouble if he gets in the ring with Daniel again.
“It doesn’t matter what Filip hits Daniel with – Daniel’s coming. And with this new-found level of confidence, Daniel’s a problem.”
Coming off a stunning ninth-round finish over Moses Itauma in August, IBF champion Hrgovic is eager to enter a rematch and unification showdown with Dubois in 2027.
