Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic face off this weekend in Riyadh for the IBF Interim Heavyweight title, with the winner likely to move into a Wembley Stadium fight against Anthony Joshua in September.
The two heavyweights will do battle on the Matchroom vs Queensberry 5 vs 5 concept card with Dubois fighting for Frank Warren and Hrgovic Eddie Hearn.
The Croatian is undefeated in 17 and fans will welcome this testing fight after a run out against Mark De Mori last December.
Dubois fought on that same card, beating Jarrell Miller by stoppage in the dying seconds to answer questions about his grit and determination in the heavyweight game.
Despite that impressive win, former cruiserweight world champion turned pundit Johnny Nelson told Seconds Out he can’t see the Brit winning on Saturday.
“Daniel Dubois, I was so happy when he beat Jarrell Miller. His character was tested, his heart was tested. But I think Daniel falls short in this one, because he’s in against an opponent that has a stubborn determination. Yes, he has flaws in his character, but I just think [Hrgovic] will be too consistent putting Daniel under pressure.”
At 26-years-old and with the prize of a potential vacant title shot against Joshua, Dubois enters the ring with huge pressure on his shoulders. With losses to Joe Joyce and Oleksandr Usyk, he won’t want to face another rebuilding phase.
Hrgovic believes he wins easily, and has even said he may retire should that not be the case.
