Promoter Eddie Hearn views the Filip Hrgovic vs. Daniel Dubois clash at the 5v5 event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on June 1st as important for the aging heavyweight division at the top.
The 26-year-old Dubois (20-2, 19 KOs) and 31-year-old Hrgovic (17-0, 14 KOs) are young enough to take over the division after the old guard retires.
Both of these guys are young enough to be among the top fighters after the current champions leave the sport in two or three years.
Dubois is a little younger than Hrgovic, but he still has a lot of work to do before he’s ready to take the throne after the current champions retire.
The vacant IBF title could be at stake for the Hrgovic vs. Dubois on June 1st, which will make their fight even bigger. Anthony Joshua will be waiting to potentially fight the winner, and that would mean a lot of money.
A Changing Landscape
“Listen, Dubois is a good fighter. If you look at the heavyweight division. A lot of those guys in their 30s, and some are in their late 30s. Some are in their 40s,” said Eddie Hearn to Charlie Parson’s YouTube channel, talking about the heavyweight clash between Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois on the June 1st 5v5 event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
35-year-old WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is showing his age and then some now, and came close to losing his last fight against Francis Ngannou.
If he loses both of his fights against IBF/WBA/WBO champ Oleksandr Usyk, he could be out of the sport soon. However, if the Saudis stay loyal to Fury, he might be able to hang around a little longer, even if he’s losing regularly.
That would create opportunities for Dubois and Hrgovic to take his place. Usyk is 37, but he’s still fighting at a high level. Ideally, he might have three more years left before he’s out of the game.
Dubois’ Potential vs. Hrgovic’s Test
“Dubois is what, 26? He’s been in deep, and I think the best is yet to come. Unfortunately for him, he’s fighting a very good heavyweight in Filip Hrgovic. It’s a great fight, it’s a brilliant fight, and obviously, we know that fight could be for the IBF world title. We’ll see,” said Hearn.