Despite the fact that the fight between Filip Hrgovic (17-0, 14 KOs) and Daniel Dubois (20-2, 19 KOs) will not ultimately have a championship belt at stake, the stakes are very high in this encounter. The sides will end up playing for the IBF heavyweight title as the mandatory challenger.
However, the title situation could change, as Usik will remain champion until unification with Fury. And perhaps between May 18 and June 1, boxing fans will find out that the Hrgovic-Dubois fight will still be a championship fight if the winner of the unification announces a rematch within the next two weeks.
A few years ago, the more experienced Croatian and the gaunt but powerfully punching Brit sparred in the Olympic rings. According to Filip, DDD was well behind him in terms of level at the time.
"I have a lot to prove, but I'm confident. We sparred together once, but I'm a completely different boxer today," Dubois stated.
"Well, I hope you've changed because those sparring sessions weren't your best," Hrgovic responded to that.
