Another world heavyweight title could be added to Fury v Joshua undercard as Hrgovic expresses interest
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are confirmed to meet in Cardiff, with a strong undercard expected. Reports link high-profile names, and Filip Hrgovic has told Ring Magazine he could defend his IBF belt on the bill.
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are due to meet in Cardiff in less than three months, and organisers are reportedly planning a stacked undercard. Boxing News says several notable names have been linked to the bill, while the WBA has attached its ‘super’ heavyweight designation to the Fury–Joshua pairing. Filip Hrgovic, newly crowned IBF heavyweight champion, has told Ring Magazine he has discussed the possibility of making his first defence against Rico Verhoeven on the same show. Promoters and mandatory obligations remain factors, and a launch press conference is understood to be scheduled this week amid earlier doubts over the event.
Fury v Joshua confirmed for Cardiff; high-profile undercard expected
Boxing News reports that Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are set to clash in Cardiff in under three months, with an impressive undercard taking shape. The WBA controversially confirmed that Fury and Joshua would fight for its 'super' heavyweight belt, and several other fighters have been linked to the bill. Reports suggest Shakur Stevenson may appear on the card (not, the report says, against Manny Pacquiao), while Keyshawn Davis and Richardson Hitchins have been linked to a welterweight clash. Jack Catterall has also publicly called for his mandated WBA (Super) welterweight title challenge against Teofimo Lopez to take place on the same card.
Filip Hrgovic says he could defend IBF belt on Fury–Joshua undercard
Newly crowned IBF heavyweight champion Filip Hrgovic told Ring Magazine he has heard rumours of a potential first defence on the Fury–Joshua undercard and would be open to it. Hrgovic mentioned a proposed opponent, Rico Verhoeven, noting: 'Maybe I'll fight on the [Fury-Joshua] undercard. There were some rumours that Turki [Al-Alshikh] wants me to fight this guy Rico Verhoeven on that undercard. I heard some rumours about that, so maybe I'll fight on the undercard. Of course I'd like that; I'm in, if we can make a good deal.' He added it may be 'a little bit soon' and that camp preparation would be required.
Mandatory challenger, step-aside fees and a launch press conference
Hrgovic acknowledged a mandatory challenger, saying Frank Sanchez would need to pay another step-aside fee for a Verhoeven defence to take place on the undercard. 'He's mandatory, but if he needs to make another step aside, if financially we agreed, I think we are open to doing whatever we want. We will see; right now, we don't know. My ultimate goal is to unify,' Hrgovic told Ring Magazine. Boxing News also notes that, despite questions raised late last week about whether the event would go ahead, a launch press conference is expected to take place this week. If a Verhoeven fight were to be added, the report points out he would have the opportunity to claim world honours in just his third professional bout.