Filip Hrgovic believes Anthony Joshua should retire following his fight with Tyson Fury on December 11 and has vowed to “destroy” Daniel Dubois if Dubois vs Hrgovic 2 goes ahead.
Joshua and Fury finally meet at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, live on Netflix.
The winner will become a three-time heavyweight world champion, with the WBA ‘super’ title at stake.
Hrgovic secured the IBF crown with a shock win over Moses Itauma in August and could unify with the victor.
However, the Croatian is doubtful that either Joshua or Fury will be willing to face him.
Hrgovic Joshua retirement
Hrgovic is backing Fury to defeat Joshua, particularly following Joshua’s last fight, which saw him climb off the canvas to stop the unknown Kristian Prenga.
“I think Fury [wins],” he said on The Ariel Helwani Show.
“Based on Joshua’s last performance. He was fighting a journeyman and he went down in 10 seconds from such a soft punch.
“I couldn’t believe what I saw.”
Hrgovic believes Joshua is now past his best: “He is done. He shouldn’t be fighting anymore, but he wants to do one more fight.”
The pair are reportedly set to earn in the region of £100m for their long-overdue showdown. Hrgovic also suggested money is the main reason Joshua is continuing.
“I think that he is going to make a huge amount of money and he is doing it because of that, but I think that he shouldn’t be fighting anymore.
“When I saw that last fight [against Prenga] I felt sorry for him.”
Dubois vs Hrgovic 2
Meanwhile, Hrgovic will make a first defence of his title in a homecoming clash in Croatia in the new year, rather than waiting on the winner of Joshua vs Fury.
According to Mike Coppinger, he is in advanced talks to fight mandatory challenger, Frank Sanchez.
The 34-year-old faced off with Daniel Dubois after his two-round demolition of Fabio Wardley last Saturday.
Dubois stopped Hrgovic in their first outing in 2024. Despite this, Hrgovic, who tipped Fury to beat Joshua, believes he would gain revenge over the Brit if they rematch.
“I will stop him definitely,” he told Pro Boxing Fans.
“I almost stopped him in the first fight. In the first fight I was sick, I was injured, I was cut since round one.
“He was headbutting me. I just think I will destroy him in the next fight.”
