Boxing Updates: Anthony Joshua Snubbed Out of IBF Title Rat Race as Filip Hrgovic in Talks to Face Daniel Dubois

Anthony Joshua might have proven his worth for another shot at the championship fights. But for now, it seems like the IBF belt will not be something he can fight for. What has caused this detour for the heavyweight? Filip Hrgovic’s new fight plans.

Unified heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk currently holds the IBF belt that he bagged in 2021-21 after defeating ‘AJ’ in two fights. Next in line, on the sanctioning body’s list is the Croatian heavyweight, Filip Hrgovic. Ahead of his Francis Ngannou clash, AJ’s promoter, Eddie Hearn had stated that his fighter will next inch toward the IBF belt, potentially for a face-off against Hrgovic to become the IBF mandatory. However, now Daniel Dubois has entered the picture, potentially dampening AJ’s chances at getting a title fight this year.

Where does Anthony Joshua go now?

On W.A.W Boxing, Hrgovic’s co-trainer, Ronnie Shields revealed that the next potential fight for the boxer will depend on the outcome of the upcoming May 18 fight between Fury and Usyk. Should the one who will lose between the heavyweight giants invoke their rematch clause, a fight against AJ seems plausible. However, later in the interview, he highlighted a prominent update. “We just found out that Hrgovic is going to be fighting on June 1 and it’s possibly going to be against Daniel Dubois in Saudi Arabia,” Shields revealed.

On the ‘Day of Reckoning’ Card in December last year, Daniel Dubois fought Jarell Miller, winning the bout in the last round via a technical knockout. That was his redemption from losing to Usyk in the same year. With Hrgovic facing Daniel Dubois in June, the Croatian Heavyweight will only be ready for his next fight towards the end of the year. This puts a chink in AJ’s three-opponents-per- year plan. If Shield’s revelations are true, it will be interesting to see who Joshua will face next.

AJ vs. who?

Potentially, the fight between Fury and Usyk won’t be a one-bout affair. From what the fighters have to suggest, they indeed will invoke the rematch clause. Under these circumstances, AJ who is the mandatory fighter for the WBO and WBC belts, will have to fight until he can face off for the belt.

Meanwhile, with what Hrgovic’s trainer has to suggest about the fighter, AJ vs. Hrgovic might also not be an immediate undertaking. Hence, to get to titles, the Londoner will have to wait a bit longer. Till then, some fighters he can fight include Congolese fighter, Martin Bakole, who remains next in line for the WBA belt. However, one pertinent opponent that remains still valid for AJ is Deontay Wilder.

Their fight which was supposed to headline in March this year, fell through after Wilder failed to defeat Joseph Parker in their Riyadh clash in December. The only condition to give face to AJ and his 7-year-long rivalry was that both fighters win against their opponents on the ‘Day of Reckoning’ card. AJ did his part by defeating Otto Wallin. 

Another name that remains relevant for Joshua is Dillian Whyte. The two were scheduled for a rematch last year, however, the fight fell through due to Whyte’s adverse VADA tests. Now that he’s reinstated, “The Body Snatcher” recently dominated Christian Hammer, forcing an early retirement in the 3rd round. As a result, a rematch against Anthony Joshua now looks like a real possibility for Whyte.

Also Read: Francis Ngannou Claims Team Warned Him of ‘Trick’ Ahead of Anthony Joshua Fight

Who do you think AJ should fight next? Take your picks in the comments section below.