Filip Hrgovic returns to the UK on May 16, this time facing fan-favourite Dave Allen at Doncaster’s Eco-Power Stadium.
The Croatian heavyweight known as ‘El Animal’ hasn’t lost on British soil, beating Demsey McKean in London back in 2023 and David Adeleye in Manchester last year. He has, however, been beaten by a Brit in Daniel Dubois.
As he looks to work himself into contention for a rematch with Dubois – who challenges for Fabio Wardley’s WBO heavyweight title a week before – Hrgovic will step through the ropes a considerable favourite against Allen, who lost to Arslanbek Makhmudov last year but beat Karim Berredjem in February to get back in the winning column.
If Allen can’t harness the home advantage and pull off an upset, Hrgovic has already secured himself a significant fight. Speaking to Boxing King Media, he named the heavyweights mentioned in his contract.
“I get paid and I move forward for my second fight in a new deal with Queensberry.
“I have in contract a few names that must get delivered. Moses [Itauma], Agit [Kabayel], [Daniel] Dubois, [Fabio] Wardley. Four, five names that must be delivered. It’s guaranteed. We’ll see what happens with Wardley-Dubois, Moses and Agit. But we have an obligation that I must face one of these guys later in the year.”
After his latest knockout win this past weekend, where he became the first man to stop Jermaine Franklin, Moses Itauma did mention Hrgovic as his ideal next test, but their timelines may not line up as the young Brit is due to return in July.
Agit Kabayel is in prime position with the WBC, looking to either fight champion Oleksandr Usyk next or see the belt become vacant and pick it up that way.
The standout match-up for Hrgovic would undoubtedly be a shot at the winner of Fabio Wardley vs Dubois – a straight shot at the WBO belt.
His two-fight deal with Queensberry represents more significant moves in the division, which is shaping up strongly for 2026 into 2027. Of course, Allen – ‘The Doncaster De La Hoya’ – looks to spoil those plans and land a big one himself.
