Hrgovic has finally made it to the mountain as IBF world champion. He has himself to blame for not training hard enough or working on his conditioning, and his management team for failing to get him a title shot sooner. I get it. He wasn’t born with boxing’s golden ticket — he isn’t American or British. His only loss came on a night when a dirty Dubois had his best performance and mixed in some headbutts, turning it into a come-from-behind stoppage on cuts. That was then. This is now. He’s 34, slightly past his best, and he cuts easily. But the heavyweight division is also at its weakest in 40 years. How long can he stay on top of the IBF mountain? Will he beat an aging Usyk and become the true No. 1 champion, or will he just keep beating more UK fighters? Based on his management team’s record of landing big fights and his own work ethic between camps, your guess is as good as mine.If he wants to stay on top and make money, he should lure the has-been-but-still-hyped Wilder next. That would sell and be an easy 1st title defense. But as I said, his management team is second-rate.
I am glad Hrgovic won a version of the heavyweight title. He was in the best shape of his life and he took the opportunity when most would have turned it down or lost from the onslaught.
Filip was humble and showed some spite after he won the title. I think he loses in a tough battle against Kabayel but could give Dubois a tough time.
Usyk would be too good for him.
Filip would beat AJ and Fury but think he would lose against his mandatory Sanchez unless it was in his homeland Croatia.
Hope Filip can make some more money and fame from the title.
Are we in that 1980’s era of the HW division again where we had multiple champions and very good contenders but no one really stood out?
Remember Bonecrusher, Tubbs, Tucker, Coetzee, Page, Dokes, et al… ?? Do we need a real second coming of a Tyson to clear this division out again after Usyk retires?
I remember the 80’s. Drugs were a problem more that talent. The young David Surov ( age 21 ) is the best heavyweight prospect in 15 years.