Eddie Hearn Eyeing Joshua vs Hrgovic World Title Clash
Matchroom Promotions chairman Eddie Hearn is the promoter of record for two-time heavyweight champion Anthony “AJ” Joshua (26-3, 23 KOs) and IBF mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic (16-0, 13 KOs). If Hearn has his way, there could be a match between Joshua and Hrgovic with a world title on the line.
PLENTY TO UNPACK
The IBF has ruled that the winner of the upcoming fight between unified champion Oleksandr Usyk and WBC champion Tyson Fury must face Hrgovic. That’s unlikely to happen, which means the winner of Usyk versus Fury could be stripped of the IBF belt.
Speaking to British news outlet Boxing Social, Hearn gave his take on the recent decision. Should the IBF title become vacant, he intends to pursue a Joshua vs Hrgovic title fight.
“(AJ vs. Hrgovic) Well, that’s the fight, and I believe that fight will happen, potentially, for the world title . . . There’s a lot to think about. But that news certainly changes things. The goal is (for Joshua) to become a three-time world champion, and that would allow us to do that.”
Joshua was in discussions for a December 2023 fight with former WBC champion Deontay Wilder in Saudi Arabia. But negotiations for that possible matchup have been tedious, and there’s no guarantee it will come to fruition. Hearn acknowledges that a fight with Wilder is bigger monetarily, but they would jump at the chance for Joshua to get an opportunity to win another world title.
A POTENTIAL HICCUP
But there’s a stumbling block that could put a halt to Hearn’s plans. On September 30, Otto Wallin scored a split decision victory over Murat Gassiev in an IBF world title eliminator.
Joshua is ranked third, and Wallin is ranked ninth in the IBF rankings for September 2023. But with Wallin’s recent win, by rule, he should move ahead of Joshua when the rankings for October 2023 are released.
This is all a wait-and-see for all parties involved. Nothing is close to being resolved or settled. Stay tuned to 3kingsboxing.com for the latest updates on this developing story.
