Hrgovic also refused to fight Sanchez.

It's unusual for Hrgovic to refuse fights, first Itauma and now Sanchez, it seems his cut hasn't fully healed yet or there are other things at play.

 

He only fought less than 2 months ago, and I would assume after being headbutted 25 times by young Daniel with the referee watching on, then fighting twice since. A fair bit of damage was done.

 

Sometimes an opportunity simply does not make sense, and is too risky. I dont think Hrgovic will fight again this year, given that he just suffered another bad cut in his last fight.

I think its reasonable for him to turn down the IBF offer.

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Yeah he has some physical reasons to excuse himself.
Itooma, no, just being a typical boxing warrior and staying safe.

 

I think Hrgovic is copying from the Kabayel playbook atm. He's probably only 2 or 3 fights from a mandatory position. He's rebuilt quite well.

Surprised he turned down the Smachez fight, the cut can't be that bad.

 

I'm glad that Hrgovic turned it down straight off the bat instead of dragging it out.

He took quite a beating in the last fight, plus the cut, so I can understand why he wants to take a longer break. I wouldn't be surprised if he had a bad concussion after that last fight and needs 6+ months before he can even spar again.

I just hope he is building away and working on his cardio etc while he does.

 

If any two fighters should understand the negative consequences of taking your foot off the gas and waiting for opportunities to come to you...

 

I don't think that's true.

They're millionaires and will likely get a shot at the undisputed champion.

Boxing has served both very well

 

Hrgovic's cut resistance is clearly a big issue so he needs to sort that out before he steps up in opposition as Sanchez is defo better than Adeleye.

Not even sure if Hrgovic should have fought Adeleye in the first place, it was a pretty low reward fight against a good journeyman really.

 

You aren't giving Dubois enough credit. I mean, you didn't even mention the multiple low blows he landed.

 

They've both lost position before by sitting on their asses and hiding from decent opponents...

Hrgovic, especially, lost plenty by sitting on his ass after Zhang - he didn't develop as he could've and he got sidelined.

Kabayel hid from the world after Chisora, and was considered a joke for years whilst fighting bums in Germany.

Both have done well to be in the position they are now, but they've both damaged their careers by taking a foot off the gas IMHO.

And realistically, neither is getting an undisputed fight anytime soon - neither will get Usyk, and it'll take time for the belts to get accumulated again afterwards.

 

so who is going to step up for this easy IBF eliminator

 

But lost what? Ultimately what does it matter.

Their job is to try to become a world champion and make lots of money whilst doing so.

 

Not helping that both Hrgovic and Kabayel have gone back to fighting unproven journeymen as well in Adeleye and Hysa - thus literally wasting a year in their primes!

 

Agreed.

Then again, if Hrgovic has turned down Sanchez because he wants a better fight with someone more proven? I'm fine with that... I might not rate him nearly as highly as some on here, but I won't knock any fighter who makes the best possible fight.

I guess we'll see who he fights next!