In a shocking turn of events, the potential fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury is reportedly off, according to Usyk’s promoter, Alexander Krassyuk. While fight fans were eagerly anticipating this clash of titans, Krassyuk has revealed that the bout is not happening at this point. However, he left open the possibility of Usyk facing Filip Hrgovic in the ring, which has now become a center of discussion among boxing enthusiasts worldwide.
“Unfortunately, the fight everyone was looking forward to won’t happen in the near future. But that doesn’t leave us without options. Hrgovic, for one, is a promising match,” Krassyuk said. This statement has offered an unexpected yet intriguing twist, suggesting that while one opportunity has closed, another one presents itself.
The breakdown of the Fury vs Usyk fight negotiation, although disappointing for many, also has its merits. By considering fighters like Hrgovic for his next bout, Usyk proves that he’s not afraid to step in the ring with anyone. The 6’6″ Croatian stands as a worthy competitor with a professional record of 12-0, ten via knockout. He is currently positioned at number five in the IBF rankings. Thus, Usyk vs Hrgovic would be an evenly matched contest worth witnessing.
The Ukrainian champion has maintained the WBO, IBF, WBA, and IBO titles since defeating Anthony Joshua in September 2021. Many in the boxing world believed that a battle with Fury was the logical next step to unify the world heavyweight titles. However, boxing has proven time and time again that realities can shift quite suddenly.
“There’s still a lot to be arranged, but Fury vs Usyk might not be on the table at this time. Instead, we might be preparing for Usyk vs Hrgovic,” Krassyuk added, hinting at the direction they have in mind.
Hrgovic finding himself in a position to fight Usyk is a significant turnaround. Despite his unbeaten record and sizeable talent, Hrgovic has often found himself struggling for competition. Yet, he may now have a shot at the unified heavyweight champion, illustrating that when one door closes, another one opens, even in the unpredictable world of professional boxing.
Though contrary to popular expectations, Usyk potentially choosing Hrgovic as his opponent goes to show that the Ukrainian is fearless in his quest to maintain his status at the top. Hrgovic, while maybe not as big a name as Fury, still poses a significant threat. The Croatian’s knockout power has the potential to turn a fight on its head, making this contest as exciting and unpredictable as any.
While no official announcement has been made confirming Usyk’s fight with Hrgovic, this confirmation from Usyk’s promoter gives fans something to look forward to. Though boxing enthusiasts worldwide were envisioning the spectacle that could have been Fury vs Usyk, the thought of Usyk vs Hrgovic is just as tantalising.
As with any sport, boxing can often throw curveballs at its athletes and fans. The cancellation of Fury vs Usyk comes as one such curveball. However, if Krassyuk’s hints are anything to go by, we should be bracing ourselves for Usyk’s potential bout with the dangerous Hrgovic.
Only time will tell how these recent developments will shape up. For now, all eyes are on Usyk and his next move.
