Hrgovic Wants a Homecoming, and He Says Everyone Else Is a 'Fake' Champion 🇭🇷

REPORTED. Filip Hrgovic won the vacant IBF title by stopping Moses Itauma in the ninth round in August (Reuters, BBC, Sky Sports). Now, Mike Coppinger (https://x.com/MikeCoppinger/status/2113343375906902079, Oct. 22): "Filip Hrgovic is in advanced talks to defend his IBF heavyweight title vs mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez in Q1 of 2027 in a Croatian homecoming bout, I’m told."

And then he went off. On The Ariel Helwani Show, per Yahoo Sports/Uncrowned (sports.yahoo.com): "I feel they're all fake champions right now. Dubois is a fake champion because he beat fake champion, Fabio Wardley."

On Kabayel and Gassiev: "Agit Kabayel received his belt without fighting. I also think he's a fake champion. And this Murat Gassiev is also a fake champion. He beat nobody and received his belt without fighting."

From boxbid.ioWalk Fight CityMake your own boxer, train in the gym and watch fights with fans. Go

On a Dubois rematch, per Boxing News (boxingnewsonline.net): "I think I will destroy him." For the record, Dubois stopped Hrgovic in 2024.

Our Dubois-Wardley fallout roundup (draft 71) will be linked here if it goes live.

Rumor-Meter

• Hrgovic vs. Sanchez in Croatia, Q1 2027: WARM (REPORTED). Single source, advanced talks, unsigned.
• Hrgovic vs. Dubois in 2027: COLD (RUMOR). Hrgovic wants it; no talks reported.

Fake champions, or sour grapes? Tell us in the Boxbid community. 👀

You didn't hear it from me… 🤫