Tony Bellew says Filip Hrgovic could land a ‘nasty’ knockout if matched with Usyk foe Rico Verhoeven
Tony Bellew told Fight Your Corner he believes Filip Hrgovic has the power to deliver a “nasty” finish if he meets one of Oleksandr Usyk’s recent challengers. Hrgovic, who claimed the vacant IBF title in August, now faces several possible next steps.
Former world champion Tony Bellew suggested Filip Hrgovic could deliver a heavy stoppage if he faced one of Oleksandr Usyk’s toughest recent opponents. Bellew made the comment on the Fight Your Corner show after Hrgovic became Croatia’s first world heavyweight champion in August, stopping Moses Itauma in the ninth round to claim the vacant IBF title. Hrgovic’s immediate path appears set toward a mandatory defence, but interest has already been aired in a potential meeting with former kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, who pushed Usyk before being stopped in the 11th round in May.
Tony Bellew: Hrgovic capable of a 'nasty' finish
Speaking on the Fight Your Corner show, Tony Bellew said he believes Filip Hrgovic could deliver a “nasty” knockout if matched with one of Oleksandr Usyk’s recent opponents. Bellew’s remark follows Hrgovic’s shock rise to champion status in August and was aired as part of a segment in which guests discussed potential heavyweight match-ups. The comment was presented as a prediction and opinion by Bellew on the programme.
Hrgovic claimed vacant IBF title with ninth-round stoppage of Moses Itauma
Filip Hrgovic became Croatia’s first world heavyweight champion in August, stopping Moses Itauma in the ninth round to claim the vacant IBF title. Reports said Itauma, a dynamic 21-year-old, outboxed Hrgovic for much of the fight before fatigue set in; Hrgovic capitalised and secured the stoppage in round nine. The victory elevated Hrgovic to world-title status and set up negotiations about his next opponent.
Frank Sanchez likely mandatory next — but others are being floated
The most immediate path for Hrgovic is expected to be a mandatory defence against Frank Sanchez, who reportedly is due his shot after agreeing to step-aside terms for the Itauma fight. That mandatory position is widely seen as the new IBF champion's next obligation. At the same time, other names are being discussed publicly; promoter and Saudi sports official Turki Alalshikh has voiced interest in a high-profile meeting involving Rico Verhoeven, a former kickboxer who took Usyk to deep waters before an 11th-round stoppage in May.