FILIP HRGOVIC and Daniel Dubois could contest the IBF Interim heavyweight belt tomorrow night (June 1) in Riyadh.
The news comes as the sanctioning body has yet to approve Oleksandr Usyk’s request to allow him and Tyson Fury to contest all four titles in their rematch on December 21.
Many had expected the IBF to strip Usyk of his title after he beat Fury last month because he would have been unable to fulfil his mandatory against Hrgovic in time. If that had been the case, then the Croat would have been fighting for the vacant belt against former challenger Dubois as part of the all-star 5 v 5 event tomorrow night between Queensberry and Matchroom.
Hrgovic, the mandatory challenger since 2022, knows that should he beat Dubois he may face Usyk or Fury in 2025. Whoever wins the undisputed rematch could, however, choose to vacate the IBF title. Should that happen and Hrgovic and Dubois do contest the Interim title on Saturday then the winner could be elevated to full champion status.
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This development also gives Dubois a huge boost in his career. While he goes into this fight as the underdog, a huge carrot is now dangling in front of him should he pull off the win.
Anthony Joshua may also be waiting in the wings for Saturday’s winner between Hrgovic and Dubois. The former unified champion, and highest rated contender (3) with the IBF after ‘El Animal’, is rumoured to be returning in September at Wembley Stadium. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, had hoped it would have the added incentive of the IBF strap at stake, but it now appears any hopes of reclaiming another world title will have to wait until next year for ‘AJ’.
