FILIP HRGOVIC and Daniel Dubois will now contest the IBF Interim heavyweight belt tomorrow night (June 1) in Riyadh.
The news comes after the sanctioning body agreed to undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk’s request to allow he and Tyson Fury to contest all four titles in their rematch on December 21.
Many had expected the IBF to strip Usyk of his title, after beating Fury last month, because he have been unable to fulfil his mandatory against Hrgovic in time. If that had been the case then the Croat would have been fighting for the vacant IBF world title against former challenger Dubois as part of the all-star 5 v 5 event tomorrow night between Queensberry and Matchroom.
Hrgovic, the mandatory challenger since 2022, now knows should he beat Dubois he will either face the winner of Usyk-Fury 2 in 2025 or become full IBF champion if the victor vacates or cannot fulfil their mandatory.
Dubois fell short in his maiden world title challenge against Usyk
(Getty Images)
The development is a huge boost in the career of Dubois as well. While he goes into this fight as the underdog a huge carrot is now dangling in front of him should he pull off the win.
Anthony Joshua may be waiting in the wings for Saturday’s winner between Hrgovic and Dubois as well. The former unified champion, and highest rated contender (3) with the IBF after ‘El Animal’, is rumoured to be returning in September at Wembley Stadium. His promoter Eddie Hearn had hoped it would have the added incentive of the IBF strap at stake but it now appears any hopes of reclaiming another world title will have to wait until next year for ‘AJ’.