Filip Hrgovic’s immediate plans for a heavyweight world title unification showdown against WBO champion Daniel Dubois have been put on hold as preparations move forward for an IBF mandatory title defense against Cuban contender Frank Sanchez, with negotiations pointing toward a major homecoming fight in Croatia during the first quarter of 2027.
The newly crowned IBF heavyweight world champion was present ringside at The O2 arena in London on Saturday to watch Dubois defend his WBO crown in a dramatic clash against Fabio Wardley. Following the main event, Hrgovic stepped into the spotlight, engaging in an intense face-off with the Londoner inside the venue. The ringside confrontation immediately sparked widespread fan expectation that an undisputed or belt-unification clash between the two reigning champion heavyweights would be scheduled next.
However, rather than proceeding straight into an immediate unification bout with Dubois, Hrgovic’s immediate career path is being directed toward fulfilling his mandatory championship obligations under the International Boxing Federation (IBF). The Croatian champion is now expected to defend his title against mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez, with negotiations actively under way to host the contest in Croatia.
A Landmark Title Win and Mandatory Obligations
Hrgovic’s rise to the top of the IBF heavyweight rankings culminated in August, when he delivered a stunning upset victory by stopping highly regarded prospect Moses Itauma to capture the IBF heavyweight world championship. The stoppage victory firmly established Hrgovic as a world champion at the elite level of the weight class, placing a major target on his back as fellow contenders sought their own path to world title honors.
While winning a world championship opens the door to lucrative unification opportunities against rival titleholders, sanctioning body rules dictate that champions must periodically defend their belts against official mandatory challengers. For Hrgovic, satisfying his IBF mandatory commitment against Sanchez has emerged as the clear priority before any prospective multi-belt clash against Dubois can be finalized.
Negotiations and Team Sanchez’s Vision for Early 2027
Details regarding the prospective mandatory defense were confirmed by Sanchez’s manager, Mike Borao, who revealed that active discussions are taking place behind the scenes to lock in the timeline and location for the championship bout.
Speaking directly to Sky Sports, Borao outlined the projected timeframe for the fight, confirming that negotiations are progressing steadily between the respective promotional camps.
"I expect Frank Sanchez versus Filip Hrgovic to take place in the first quarter of 2027, perhaps in Zagreb, but too early to know for sure," Borao stated.
Borao further explained that he has already established direct line of communication with Queensberry Promotions to ensure the mandatory defense moves forward smoothly without unnecessary promotional delays.
"I have already communicated with George Warren [of Queensberry promotions] and will likely speak again this week," Borao continued. "Frank has speed and power, but also brings experience and stamina, so he is anxious to fight Hrgovic."
The match-up represents a significant historical opportunity for Sanchez and his corner. Under the guidance of renowned head trainer Eddie Reynoso, Sanchez’s team believes the Cuban contender possesses the exact skill set required to neutralize Hrgovic’s physical strengths and claim the IBF world title.
Furthermore, a victory over Hrgovic would carry monumental significance for Cuban boxing heritage. Despite Cuba’s long and celebrated history of dominance in amateur boxing and its production of world champions across lighter weight divisions, the nation has never produced an official world heavyweight champion.
"[Sanchez’s trainer] Eddie Reynoso loves the match and so do I," Borao added. "Sanchez will become the first Cuban heavyweight champion."
Arena Zagreb Welcomes Historic Homecoming Championship
With the first quarter of 2027 targeted for the IBF title clash, Zagreb has emerged as the leading prospective host city for the event. Staging an IBF world heavyweight title defense in Croatia would mark a massive homecoming milestone for Hrgovic, bringing world-class championship boxing to his native country on an unprecedented scale.
Local venue authorities in Zagreb have reacted enthusiastically to the prospect of hosting the international broadcast and major championship event. Sretan Saric, the Managing Director of Arena Zagreb, confirmed to Sky Sports that the venue is fully supportive of welcoming Hrgovic’s title defense.
"Of course I support the opportunity to hold the fight at Arena Zagreb," Saric confirmed, emphasizing local enthusiasm for bringing one of the heavyweight division’s marquee championship fights to the capital.
Dubois will fight ‘anyone who wants it’
While Hrgovic focuses on preparing for his mandatory challenge against Sanchez in early 2027, Daniel Dubois continues to evaluate his own options at the top of the division. Dubois previously defeated Hrgovic in a prior contest, but the reigning WBO champion remains entirely open to sharing the ring with the Croatian power-puncher again in the future if a fight can be arranged.
For Dubois, the primary driving force behind his current ring campaign is absolute division dominance and the accumulation of every available heavyweight belt. Speaking to Sky Sports, the Londoner made his ultimate ambitions inside the sport clear.
"To win all the belts. That’s the main thing now for me, collecting all the other belts," Dubois explained. "It would mean everything to have all those belts. No one can take that away from me. That’s what I’m after now."
Addressing potential future opponents following his victory over Wardley at The O2, Dubois highlighted both Hrgovic and current WBC heavyweight world champion Agit Kabayel as realistic targets for his unification strategy.
"Any one of them, Hrgovic, he was there on Saturday, maybe him or [WBC champion Agit] Kabayel," Dubois said.
Reflecting on the attributes of both fighters, Dubois acknowledged the challenge posed by Hrgovic while offering his assessment of Kabayel’s credentials. "Hrgovic was tough as well, Kabayel, we’ll see, we’ll see what he’s about. He ain’t been in with a guy like me but he’s a good fighter."
Dubois has also set his sights on other monumental opportunities within the division, including eyeing a future clash against former champion Tyson Fury next year, admitting that such an encounter would be a "ground-breaking" spectacle for boxing fans worldwide.
Regardless of which specific champion or contender steps up next, Dubois maintains a straightforward approach to his title reign and his pursuit of undisputed glory.
"Just anyone with a damn belt… Anyone who wants it," Dubois stated.
Division Landscape Ahead
The confirmation of Hrgovic’s mandatory commitment against Sanchez creates a structured path forward for the heavyweight division through the start of 2027. With Queensberry Promotions and team Sanchez working toward finalizing details for a early 2027 clash in Zagreb, Hrgovic must successfully navigate his defense against the unbeaten Cuban to keep his overarching unification ambitions alive.
If Hrgovic satisfies his mandatory duty in front of his home crowd at Arena Zagreb, the pathway toward a massive title unification clash against Dubois or another major champion will remain wide open, setting up potential blockbuster matchups further down the line.
