The upcoming match between Londoner Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic on Saturday has the potential to be sanctioned for the IBF ‘interim’ heavyweight title, according to the sanctioning body. Dubois, with 19 stoppages in 20 wins, will be facing Hrgovic, the number one ranked IBF fighter, in a highly anticipated bout as part of the Queensberry v Matchroom event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this weekend.
The winner of the Dubois-Hrgovic match could be upgraded to world champion status if current heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is stripped of his IBF belt before his scheduled rematch with Tyson Fury in December. Usyk has requested an exemption to defend his title against Fury instead of facing his mandatory challenger next.
Although reports have suggested that the Dubois-Hrgovic fight will be for the interim title, the IBF has not yet confirmed this possibility. The body stated that if the fight is approved for the title, the winner would be elevated to champion if Usyk vacates the belt.
Despite speculation that Usyk may have to vacate his title before Saturday’s event, it seems that he will retain his undisputed title for the time being. Promoter Eddie Hearn has hinted that the winner of Dubois-Hrgovic could potentially face Anthony Joshua for a vacant IBF world title at Wembley Stadium in September.
Dubois, with 20 wins and two losses, including a points defeat against Usyk in a world-title challenge, will have a chance to prove himself against Hrgovic, who has an undefeated record of 17 wins, with 14 inside the distance. Both fighters will be looking to make a statement in their quest for heavyweight supremacy.
