Hrgović’s unification plans raise questions

Hrgović eyes Verhoeven while Sánchez waits for his title shot

Filip Hrgović says that winning the IBF title has strengthened his desire to remain at the top for years to come. His first move as champion could immediately show how he plans to achieve this goal. He himself seems very interested in a bout with Rico Verhoeven, while Frank Sánchez is still waiting for the title fight he was promised.

Filip Hrgović secured his belt in August in a hard-fought bout against Moses Itauma. Originally, Frank Sánchez was supposed to be the one fighting for the title, but he vacated his spot in exchange for a payment, which made this bout possible in the first place. However, he set the condition that he would receive a title shot afterward. Now, however, Filip Hrgović is already speaking openly about a second payment.

“He’s mandatory but if he needs to make another step aside, if financially we agreed, I think we are open to do whatever we want. My ultimate goal is to unify”

he told The Ring.

The funny thing is that this statement is also pretty pointless when he says he’d like to face Rico Verhoeven, since Rico Verhoeven doesn’t hold any titles.

Fights against Agit Kabayel or Daniel Dubois would make a lot more sense. He himself said, however, that he considers the two of them easier opponents than Moses Itauma, since they don’t have the same speed as the 21-year-old. Frank Sánchez, however, doesn’t play any significant role in any of his statements; he doesn’t seem to have any interest in a fight with him. Frank Sánchez has already said, though, that he doesn’t want to accept another deal and that he’s insisting on his chance this time. It will be interesting to see if he follows through, since another deal would also hurt his career. What do you think?

I find Filip Hrgović’s statements a bit contradictory when he talks about unifying the titles. If he’s going to do that, he needs to seek out opponents who hold titles, not a former kickboxer who’s only had one fight. I’m curious to see what the next step will be.