Undefeated heavyweight Filip Hrgovic, 17-0 (14 KOs), has issued himself a stern ultimatum regarding his career if he loses on June 1 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, against Daniel Dubois, 20-2 (19 KOs).
Hrgovic, the IBF’s current No. 1 rated heavyweight, will challenge the former world heavyweight title challenger as a team member of Matchroom Boxing in a new concept that sees five members of Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing stable go up against Frank Warren’s Queensberry stable.
The ‘5 vs 5’ will serve as the undercard to the highly anticipated undisputed light-heavyweight title encounter between Artur Beterbiev and Dimitri Bivol.
If the belts splinter in the aftermath of the unified May 18 clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, Hrgovic-Dubois could challenge for the vacant title.
Yesterday’s press conference saw Dubois talk briefly regarding a sparring session between the pair, saying he was now a different animal from when he previously shared rounds with the Corat.
Speaking to IFL TV, Hrgovic explained he did not understand why Dubois mentioned their spar, insisting that while Dubois may have improved, the character of the British heavyweight contender will remain the same.
“I do not know why he mentioned the sparring,” Hrgovic told IFL TV. “That sparring was not so good for him and I do not know why he mentioned it. If I were him, I would have kept quiet about it.
“He said that he has changed. Of course, he has changed because he was very young when we sparred but I, too, was young. I think he has improved, but you can never change your character because you are who you are,” said Hrgovic.
Hrgovic added that if he were to be defeated by Dubois, he would retire because he believes he is the best heavyweight in the world.
“Of course,” Hrgovic said, when asked by IFL whether he would hang up the gloves for good if he lost.
“I think I am the best. I am working hard, and I have been in this sport for 18 years, working like a f****** maniac. If I lose to Dubois, then f*** that s*** man. I would not be as good as I think, so I would retire.”
