Filip Hrgovic believes Daniel Dubois will feel like “slow motion” after Moses Itauma, and wants a March rematch following their in-ring face-off tonight. Dubois’s second-round demolition of Fabio Wardley did little to impress the Croatian, who questioned whether Wardley had recovered from their first fight.
“I was not impressed,” Hrgovic said afterward. “Something wasn’t right, and it was an easy job for Daniel. I want to fight him.”
Hrgovic argued that Dubois should be available in March because he had escaped the short fight without injuries. That remains his proposed date, with no agreement announced.
The more interesting part is what Hrgovic believes his win over Itauma has done for him. Having dealt with the younger heavyweight’s speed, he expects more time to see Dubois’s punches coming.
“I think after Moses, fighting Daniel will be like slow motion, man.”
Hrgovic acknowledged that Dubois is strong, has a good jab, and would be a tough opponent. His plan is to take away that jab and make Dubois retreat.
“I will defend his jab,” Hrgovic said. “I will push him to go backwards, not allow him to go forward. I will control him with the jab, move my head, block his jab.”
That requires more than getting accustomed to a faster opponent. Hrgovic still has to move his head consistently when Dubois starts throwing, particularly while stepping forward himself. Trying to force Dubois backward could leave him walking onto the very jab he wants to neutralize.
Hrgovic also claimed he was sick and injured during their first fight, attributing his cuts to Dubois’s head. He expects a different finish next time.
“I think I will destroy him next fight.”
If Hrgovic turns it into a phone-booth dogfight, he’s got a chance to defeat Dubois. History shows that when Dubois gets dragged into uncomfortable, chaotic trenches where he takes clubbing shots, his self-belief wavers.
