12-22-2021, 10:41 AM
World title eliminator bell tolls for Joseph Parker
Duncan Johnstone
07:47, Dec 22 2021
Joseph Parker’s big win over Derek Chisora has him well-placed for a second run at a world title.
Unbeaten Croatian Filip Hrgovic is keen to take on Joseph Parker in a IBF world title eliminator as suggested by British promoter Eddie Hearn.
Hearn talked up the prospect of Parker taking on Hrgovic after the New Zealand heavyweight scored an impressive unanimous points win over Derek Chisora in Manchester last Sunday.
And the idea has struck a chord with the Hrgovic camp who are keen to push their man towards a world title. “Love Filip Hrgovic v Joseph Parker as a final eliminator,” the Sauerland brothers, who manage Hrgovic, tweeted to Hearn.
Hearn, in looking quickly at options for the improved Parker on the back of his rejuvenated performance had said: “Joseph Parker wants another shot. There is a queue for the titles. Maybe a final eliminator with Filip Hrgovic for the IBF is an option.
“I like that, I think it’s a really good fight. The winner obviously gets a big split with the IBF to fight the winner of AJ versus Usyk, so it’s a big fight.”
Winning the eliminator would put mandatory challenge pressure on whoever wins the rematch between current IBF champion Oleksandr Usyk, who also holds the WBO and WBA belts, and Anthony Joshua.
Hrgovic, a bronze medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, is 14-0 with his latest win coming via knockout against Serbia-born German Emir Ahmatovic in Las Vegas earlier this month.
His resume isn’t deep with his highest profile wins coming against American journeymen Kevin Johnson and Eric Molina. Parker would be a huge step up in class.
The Parker camp need to consider their options carefully now. His stocks have raised on the back of his second win over British crowd favourite Chisora, and he needs to cash in.
There is huge risk and reward involved now for Parker as he has positioned himself well amongst the title contenders below belt holders Usyk and Tyson Fury, the WBC champion.
A Parker v Hrgovic promotion doesn’t have the marketability of other names raised by Hearn like Andy Ruiz Jr, Luis Ortiz or Deontay Wilder.
There is also the worthy option of Britain’s Joe Joyce, who is one place above Parker in the WBO rankings and could provide an eliminator route to that belt.
Joyce has been keen to fight Parker for some time and the right time may be now. It’s a fight that would certainly be attractive to the British audience where Parker has bedded in his name and personality.
Joyce, who won the silver medal at the Rio Olympics, is 13-0 as a professional.
Hearn’s suggestion of Hrgovic has a personal twist to it. The promoter is under pressure to find better fights for the 1.98m fighter dubbed “The Animal”.
Ahead of his December 4 fight, Hrgovic voiced his frustrations at Hearn, saying: “I don’t know what is going on. You (Hearn) are the biggest promoter in the world. I hope you find someone to fight me.
“I am looking forward to big fights, and I am ready for anyone. I know I have the quality and talent to become the best fighter in the world.”
Hrgovic’s co-manager Nisse Sauerland, backed that up, complaining at how fighters had been dodging his man.
“It has been a frustrating time for Filip, the whole IBF situation, we went through the top 15 I think twice, no-one wants to fight Filip,” Sauerland said.
“Next year someone is going to have to fight him for the mandatory and I believe you are looking at the new world champ. 2022 is going to be Filip Hrgovis’s year.”
Duncan Johnstone
07:47, Dec 22 2021
Joseph Parker’s big win over Derek Chisora has him well-placed for a second run at a world title.
Unbeaten Croatian Filip Hrgovic is keen to take on Joseph Parker in a IBF world title eliminator as suggested by British promoter Eddie Hearn.
Hearn talked up the prospect of Parker taking on Hrgovic after the New Zealand heavyweight scored an impressive unanimous points win over Derek Chisora in Manchester last Sunday.
And the idea has struck a chord with the Hrgovic camp who are keen to push their man towards a world title. “Love Filip Hrgovic v Joseph Parker as a final eliminator,” the Sauerland brothers, who manage Hrgovic, tweeted to Hearn.
Hearn, in looking quickly at options for the improved Parker on the back of his rejuvenated performance had said: “Joseph Parker wants another shot. There is a queue for the titles. Maybe a final eliminator with Filip Hrgovic for the IBF is an option.
“I like that, I think it’s a really good fight. The winner obviously gets a big split with the IBF to fight the winner of AJ versus Usyk, so it’s a big fight.”
Winning the eliminator would put mandatory challenge pressure on whoever wins the rematch between current IBF champion Oleksandr Usyk, who also holds the WBO and WBA belts, and Anthony Joshua.
Hrgovic, a bronze medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, is 14-0 with his latest win coming via knockout against Serbia-born German Emir Ahmatovic in Las Vegas earlier this month.
His resume isn’t deep with his highest profile wins coming against American journeymen Kevin Johnson and Eric Molina. Parker would be a huge step up in class.
The Parker camp need to consider their options carefully now. His stocks have raised on the back of his second win over British crowd favourite Chisora, and he needs to cash in.
There is huge risk and reward involved now for Parker as he has positioned himself well amongst the title contenders below belt holders Usyk and Tyson Fury, the WBC champion.
A Parker v Hrgovic promotion doesn’t have the marketability of other names raised by Hearn like Andy Ruiz Jr, Luis Ortiz or Deontay Wilder.
There is also the worthy option of Britain’s Joe Joyce, who is one place above Parker in the WBO rankings and could provide an eliminator route to that belt.
Joyce has been keen to fight Parker for some time and the right time may be now. It’s a fight that would certainly be attractive to the British audience where Parker has bedded in his name and personality.
Joyce, who won the silver medal at the Rio Olympics, is 13-0 as a professional.
Hearn’s suggestion of Hrgovic has a personal twist to it. The promoter is under pressure to find better fights for the 1.98m fighter dubbed “The Animal”.
Ahead of his December 4 fight, Hrgovic voiced his frustrations at Hearn, saying: “I don’t know what is going on. You (Hearn) are the biggest promoter in the world. I hope you find someone to fight me.
“I am looking forward to big fights, and I am ready for anyone. I know I have the quality and talent to become the best fighter in the world.”
Hrgovic’s co-manager Nisse Sauerland, backed that up, complaining at how fighters had been dodging his man.
“It has been a frustrating time for Filip, the whole IBF situation, we went through the top 15 I think twice, no-one wants to fight Filip,” Sauerland said.
“Next year someone is going to have to fight him for the mandatory and I believe you are looking at the new world champ. 2022 is going to be Filip Hrgovis’s year.”