Joshua-Hrgovic March 9th for IBF title?

On March 9, at a boxing evening in Riyadh, a fight for the vacant IBF world heavyweight title will likely take place between Anthony Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs) and Filip Hrgovic (17-0, 14 KOs). On this day the Briton had to cross his gloves with Deontay Wilder, but the American lost Joseph Parker this Saturday. An alternative option for the Briton could now be a fight for the International Boxing Federation belt with the Croatian.

Currently the IBF championship belt belongs to Alexander Usyk, which will hold a unification fight with Tyson Fury. The Ukrainian and the Briton have signed a contract for two fights next year, which means that the winner of their first fight will not be able to defend the title against a mandatory opponent.

Everything indicates that the IBF in this situation will take the belt from Usyk or Fury. The two highest-ranked boxers in the rankings, Hrgovic and Joshua, will have to fight for the vacant belt.