Filip Hrgovic expresses desire for unification over mandatory fight

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Filip Hrgovic celebrates after winning the IBF World Heavyweight title bout against Moses Itauma at The O2 Arena, London. Picture date: Saturday August 29, 2026. (Photo by Steven Paston/PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images Filip Hrgovic was pretty open about his new IBF mandatory obligation after his upset win over Moses Itauma today in London, and his message is clear. Hrgovic doesn’t care about fighting Frank Sanchez. He wants unification with the likes of Daniel Dubois or Agit Kabayel. When asked in a post-fight interview if Hrgovic vs Sanchez would be next, promoter Frank Warren basically said that it has to be, as Sanchez had accepted a “step-aside” payday to allow for Itauma vs Hrgovic to be sanctioned for the vacant IBF title, with the guarantee that Sanchez would get the shot at the winner. But Hrgovic really wasn’t hearing it. “Come on, man. What Frank Sanchez? I want unification,” he said.“I want Daniel Dubois in a unification if he wins his next fight. I want Agit Kabayel. I want unification. Frank Sanchez will wait. He’ll get another step-aside. He’ll make money without fighting, and everyone will be happy.” The blunt honesty of it all seemed to knock Warren back a bit, but Frank’s been around a long time and knows how to roll with the punches, too, adding, “I hear what’s being said. There’s an obligation. If we can work it out, we’ll work it out. But the name of the game is for all these guys to fight each other and fight out who’s the best.” “Unifications are important in boxing,” Hrgovic added, rolling with the punches himself. By this point, WBC titleholder Kabayel had stepped into the ring. He and Hrgovic showed one another respect, with Kabayel congratulating Hrgovic and the two shaking hands. Kabayel said he’d gladly accept the fight. Hrgovic also asked for a single fight in Croatia, with Warren saying he would “do (his) best to make it happen.” You’ve all heard promoters talk, I probably don’t need to help you read between the lines on that one. Dubois, for what it’s worth, was also in attendance. He and Fabio Wardley announced their October 17 rematch in London earlier in the evening. Dubois stopped Hrgovic back in 2024. And count me as someone who found Hrgovic’s honesty about what he wants to do refreshing. I really have no problem with Hrgovic vs Sanchez, mind you, I think that’s a good fight. But Hrgovic wants what he wants, and he’s made it known.

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Filip Hrgovic is honest: He doesn’t want to fight Frank Sanchez, he wants a unification