Filip Hrgovic is set to return to action for his first mandatory defence of the IBF heavyweight world title in early 2027, but the Croatian powerhouse has not ruled out revisiting his riveting rivalry with Moses Itauma further down the line.
The division was sent into a state of shock back in August when Itauma, the young and heavily hyped contender, was widely expected to continue his undefeated streak against Hrgovic and etch his name into the history books by becoming the second-youngest heavyweight world champion in the rich history of professional boxing. Instead, the 34-year-old underdog Hrgovic defied the odds and produced one of the most stunning upsets of the entire year, orchestrating a masterclass that culminated in a decisive ninth-round stoppage to claim the vacant world title.
In the dramatic aftermath of that unforgettable night, Itauma made it abundantly clear that he was eager to secure an immediate shot at redemption, setting his sights firmly on a rematch with "El Animal." However, the towering six-foot-six Zagreb-born operator appears to have other historic milestones on his immediate horizon. Hrgovic now looks firmly poised to make a triumphant return to action on home soil, with strong links pointing toward a blockbuster showdown with Cuba’s formidable Frank Sanchez. Should that bout be finalized and take place, it would mark a momentous milestone in the sport: the very first heavyweight world title fight to ever be contested on Croatian soil.
Despite the immediate divergence in their respective career paths, the chapter between Hrgovic and Itauma remains open. If the 21-year-old Itauma successfully regains his momentum, dusts himself off from the first defeat of his professional career, and ultimately lives up to the considerable expectations that first propelled him to the doorstep of a world championship, a second meeting between the two heavyweight adversaries looks increasingly likely as their careers progress.
Speaking candidly in a recent interview with Ring Magazine, Hrgovic addressed the prospect of facing the young Briton for a second time. While the champion acknowledged that a rematch could happen, he made it explicitly clear that it would happen entirely on his terms and only after he has cemented his legacy at the very pinnacle of the division. According to the IBF titleholder, formal requests for a return bout have not yet been pressed in the manner some might expect, but his ultimate ambitions extend far beyond a single defense. When asked about stepping back into the ring with Itauma, Hrgovic revealed his grand design for the division, stating simply that he plans to grant the rematch only after he has achieved undisputed status.
The road ahead for the Croatian champion is fraught with high-stakes challenges and elite contenders as he navigates his reign at the top. Should he successfully turn back the challenge of Frank Sanchez in his historic homecoming bout, a unification rematch with British star Daniel Dubois looms large as the next logical target on Hrgovic’s radar. The landscape of the heavyweight division is shifting rapidly, and the winner of that potential unification clash would immediately set their sights on WBC champion Agit Kabayel, with the ultimate prize being the coveted status of a dominant three-belt champion. Meanwhile, the heavyweight championship puzzle continues to evolve elsewhere in the division, with the prestigious WBA super title officially set to be on the line when heavyweight rivals Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua collide in a monumental showdown in December.
While Hrgovic charts his course toward undisputed glory and historic home defences, Moses Itauma is quietly plotting his own path back to the summit of the sport. The young contender is anticipated to make his eagerly awaited ring return in January, stepping back under the bright lights as he looks to rebound from his first professional setback, rebuild his devastating reputation, and re-announce himself as a serious, long-term threat to the heavyweight throne.
