Former world boxing champion Tony Bellew believes that a potential rematch between heavyweight standout Daniel Dubois and Croatian contender Filip Hrgovic would unfold in a completely different manner than their initial 2004 encounter, with the Briton expected to dominate proceedings from the opening bell.
The two heavyweights previously delivered a thrilling and competitive spectacle during their first meeting, a high-stakes clash that captivated fans and pundits alike. In that initial encounter, many observers felt that Hrgovic had done enough in the early stages to build a slight lead on the judges’ scorecards, utilizing his technical skills and heavy punches to challenge the London-born powerhouse. However, Dubois showed remarkable resilience, refusing to be deterred as he steadily gained increasing momentum with every passing round.
By the eighth round of their first meeting, the accumulation of punishment had taken a severe toll on Hrgovic, resulting in two worsening cuts over his eyes. The damage ultimately became too severe for the contest to safely continue, leading the referee and medical staff to halt the bout and hand Dubois a hard-fought victory. While some analysts have suggested that the fight might have had a different outcome if not for the unfortunate facial lacerations, Bellew and other experts emphasize that Dubois ultimately displayed the tremendous grit, relentless pressure, and competitive impetus required to seize control and win the contest when it mattered most.
The trajectory of Dubois’s career since that pivotal night has been nothing short of extraordinary. The formidable knockout artist has navigated a challenging landscape at the elite level of the heavyweight division, finding himself on both the winning and losing sides of high-profile fifth-round stoppages against elite opposition such as Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk. Rather than being derailed by those setbacks, Dubois has used them to forge an even greater sense of resolve, a resilience that was recently highlighted during his demanding back-to-back triumphs over domestic rival Fabio Wardley.
The rivalry between Dubois and Wardley provided fans with unforgettable drama. Their first encounter, which took place in May, saw Dubois forced to dig deep after surviving two early knockdowns before ultimately turning the tide to score a devastating 11th-round finish. He then followed up on that epic victory by successfully retaining his WBO world title with a commanding second-round stoppage during their highly anticipated rematch last weekend.
Based on that commanding performance and the visible evolution of Dubois inside the squared circle, former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew has shared his insights with media outlet The Stomping Ground. Bellew firmly stated his belief that Dubois, a proven two-time heavyweight champion, would defeat Hrgovic in emphatic and definitive fashion if the two heavyweights were to cross paths once again in the professional ring.
Offering a detailed breakdown of the psychological and physical shift in the champion, Bellew expressed complete confidence in Dubois’s unyielding mindset.
"I don’t think Daniel Dubois would ever lose a rematch when he’s won the first fight. He’s got so much belief, and is so single-track minded, that I don’t think anyone’s getting through him in a rematch," Bellew remarked during his interview with The Stomping Ground.
Bellew also pointed to recent comments made by Hrgovic following the Dubois-Wardley rematch as a sign that the Croatian contender is already well aware of the daunting challenge that awaits him should they ever square off again.
"Filip Hrgovic – when he spoke after the Dubois-Wardley rematch and said this guy’s got a hell of a jab; he’s so strong – he’s already in trouble; Filip Hrgovic is already in major trouble if he gets in the ring with Daniel again," Bellew continued. "It doesn’t matter what Filip hits Daniel with – Daniel’s coming. And with this new-found level of confidence, Daniel’s a problem."
Despite the stark warning from Bellew regarding the potential outcome of a second meeting, the competitive fires continue to burn brightly within the heavyweight division. Hrgovic, who is currently coming off a stunning ninth-round finish over rising prospect Moses Itauma in August, holds the prestigious IBF championship and is reportedly eager to secure a path back to the ring. The Croatian contender has made it clear that he desires a high-stakes rematch and a major unification showdown against Dubois, eyeing a potential clash in 2027 to settle old scores and unify the division’s most coveted accolades.
