Work has begun to scupper any chances of fans seeing the undisputed heavyweight title on the line in the coming months.
It’s no secret that talks are ongoing behind the scenes for Tyson Fury to put his WBC championship up against Oleksandr Usyk’s other three titles.
However, after seeing his top dog Anthony Joshua walk away from a Fury battle in December, Eddie Hearn believes Filip Hrgovic should be next.
Fury vs Usyk undisputed
Fans were looking forward to the first undisputed heavyweight title event in twenty years. But if Hrgovic gets approved, that will not happen for all the marbles.
Hearn, alongside Wasserman Boxing, has lobbied for Hrgovic to get a mandatory shot at the IBF title. If the IBF approves the order, Usyk could immediately be stripped of the red strap.
The plan aims to push Hrgovic to get a chance at the vacant title against the next contender. Ironically or not, that’s Joshua.
Therefore, Hearn and Wasserman can push to ensure Fury vs Usyk doesn’t happen with an undisputed tag. That’s despite having an opportunity to wait for the fight to hear the final bell.
Hrgovic could then fight for the undisputed crown against the winner.
Boxing fans are now staring at the possibility that Usyk will have to walk away from Fury and delay the world’s biggest top-division battle.
If this is the case, it will be because Hrgovic is unwilling to wait a few months.
Heavyweight involvement
Hearn, who began the trend of taking the heavyweight title to the Middle East, would be forced to watch on as Fury and Usyk made tens of millions in the region on the back of his previous work.
Frank Warren won’t be happy at the turn of events as Hrgovic vs Joshua could determine the next IBF ruler.
An undisputed title fight had seemed a million miles away before Usyk vs Fury came about. It was only when Hearn and AJ lost the titles that the real possibility opened up.
The views expressed in this article are the opinions of Phil Jay. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
WBN Editor Phil Jay has over ten years of boxing news experience. Follow WBN on Facebook @officialworldboxingnews, Instagram, and Twitter @worldboxingnews.
