Filip Hrgovic is setting his sights on an IBF world heavyweight title fight against Anthony Joshua, following his mandatory position win over Zhilei Zhang in August 2022. The victory over Zhang placed Hrgovic in line for a shot at the title, currently entangled in the outcome of the upcoming bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury on May 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Usyk, who has successfully defended his titles against Joshua and Daniel Dubois, is now gearing up to face WBC heavyweight champion Fury. The scheduling of the Usyk-Fury fight has seen its share of delays, initially set for late last year but postponed due to Fury’s prior commitments and an injury.
The winner of the Usyk-Fury fight is expected to vacate the IBF title, as per the governing body's regulations regarding mandatory defenses. This anticipated vacancy sets the stage for a potential showdown between Hrgovic and Joshua, with both fighters being the highest available contenders for the title.
In an interview with IFLTV, Hrgovic expressed his eagerness to face Joshua, citing the British heavyweight’s prominence in the sport. He stressed that the ball is in Joshua’s court regarding the potential matchup, underscoring his readiness and desire for the fight to materialize. Hrgovic’s focus remains on seizing the opportunity to compete for the IBF title, pending the outcome of the Usyk-Fury clash and the subsequent decisions surrounding the championship’s future.
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