Hrgovic has said he would fight Itauma "if the money is right". Itauma is regarded in the UK as the next heavyweight superstar, so it makes sense that Hrgovic would want a decent payday.
Hrgovic is still dealing with the gash and cuts from Dubois twenty plus headbutts that were reopened when he last fought. It's too soon if the money isn't right.
Can't blame him If I was a fighter who knew my earning potential and felt lowballed for what could be a career ending fight then i'd swerve it. His title aspirations are gone now anyway, needs a few paychecks more to retire comfortably off.
If Whyte at that stage of his career got $2 million to fight Itauma, which is the figure I have heard, then I don’t blame Hrgovic for wanting a large payday considering where he currently is ranked and such.
He is not a name to get big money and will lose, of course he will reject the fight, the man has no defence, zero.
Good, why are Queensberry in such a rush to serve Hrgovic up as the sacrificial lamb for Moses when he suffered a terrible cut in his last fight and has suffered cuts in his last 3 fights and the cut is highly likely going to reopen if he fights Moses in December when they're supposed to be looking out for Hrgovic's interests too?
He's probably offered more than his next 3 possible fights combined. It's either the cuts or he don't want that smoke.
He could very well still hold title aspirations, but he clearly knows that he can not afford to take high risk fights for low rewards.
They're looking out for his interests by giving him a big fight and a chance to win which will open up much more opportunities for him as at the moment no one really wants to fight or cares about Hrgovic as he's always been underwhelming. want to change the narrative? beat the 20-year-old or at least give a good account out of yourself and push him close and come again. It's the bloody fight game and big Fabio with zero amateur career is rolling the dice against Joe Parker despite being ranked number 1 in the WBA so why can't Mr Olympian Hrgovic do the same?
Sounds like typical hype tactics. Offer a contract that obviously won't be taken then put it out there as 'he doesn't want the fight'. Typical brand builder without even having to actually box. It's done so often and guys on here still fall for it. Itauma hasn't actually done anything in his pro (or even his amateur) career to make him a heavy favourite over Hrgovic. The hype relative to his actual achievements is totally bonkers.
The fight doesn't make sense for Hrgovic at the moment. He is still recovering from his last fight, has strung together a couple decent wins and if Usyk is close to retiring then Hrgovic isn't too far from a legit title shot himself. He would probably only fight Itauma this year for a big payday which Warren is unlikely to give him.