Boxing trainer turned analyst, Teddy Atlas, has made his prediction ahead of the high stakes heavyweight clash between Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois.
After Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury to become the undisputed champion, it was expected that the IBF were ready to strip the Ukrainian for not facing his mandatory challenger, Hrgovic, next due to a contractual rematch with Fury. It was therefore a reported option to have the vacant title on the line for the Croatian’s fight against Dubois.
However, due to a medical suspension to Usyk, under IBF rules the champion cannot be stripped if he is not in a position to defend the belt.
Hrgovic, the number 1 ranked fighter within the IBF ratings, and Dubois may not be battling it out for the title as initially hoped, but the winner looks set for a mega fight against Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in September where the belt could again be on the line.
Speaking on his podcast, Atlas spoke highly of Dubois’ last performance against Jarrell Miller.
“Dubois is a good technical fighter, his only two losses came against Joyce and Usyk.
Dubois changed his course in life in the Miller fight. He was spectacular that night and showed all the things he hadn’t before. He showed the emotional and physical control, the heart, the desire, the mental toughness that he hadn’t always shown. Dubois did not fall apart, he did not disintegrate. He fought for redemption that night, he showed he was a complete fighter, the battle that night was a battle of will.”
But the American pundit is leaning towards the undefeated Hrgovic to get his hand raised.
“It’s a good fight, good solid matchmaking, it could be a very competitive fight. Both guys are solid technically.
I favour Hrgovic, I do favour Hrgovic, he doesn’t know how to lose yet, he’s pretty good technically but you can hit him. He showed heart against Zhang so I favour him.”
Hrgovic-Dubois takes place on June 1 in Saudi Arabia as part of the Queensberry 5 vs Matchroom 5 card, broadcast live on DAZN PPV.
