IBF heavyweight champion of the world Filip Hrgovic has vowed to "smash up" WBO ruler Daniel Dubois after the Briton retained hold of his title with victory over Fabio Wardley on Saturday night.
The Queensberry star took care of his stablemate in destructive fashion at London's O2 Arena, dropping Wardley for the first time in his career in the first round before forcing a stoppage midway through the second stanza.
The manner of the victory certainly appeased the hard-hitting Briton and his esteemed trainer Don Charles, but one person who wasn't impressed was former foe Hrgovic, who Dubois beat in 2024.
After watching on from ringside, the 31-year-old stepped through the ropes to share the ring with Dubois, seemingly teeing up a blockbuster unification showdown between the pair in 2027.
"I'm not impressed to be honest, that was an easy night's work for him," he told DAZN.
Daniel has a good job, I will admit that - one of the best in the division but I will smash him, believe me!
- Filip Hrgovic (DAZN)
"He is the only person to have beaten me as a professional but I was sick, not well and I had cuts above both eyes from the first round -- even then I was still winning the fight.
"I want to fight Daniel Dubois, he is so slow; I want to unify titles and I want to prove I am the number one."
While Hrgovic clearly fancies a second crack at Dubois next, he is aware of the fact that his hopes of undertaking that fight will likely hinge on whether IBF mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez would agree to a second step-aside agreement.
The Cuban agreed a similar deal to allow Hrgovic the chance to fight, and beat, Moses Itauma earlier this year, but the expectancy is that he will now activate his mandatory shot at the world title.
"Maybe I have to fight my mandatory challenger next, Frank Sanchez, but also maybe we can make the unification fight with Daniel - this is out of my control, but I want more titles.
"We will have to see, but it seems as though my next fight will be in Croatia -- a homecoming -- maybe against Sanchez.
"If not then let's get Daniel [Dubois] over to Croatia. I can talk, I can fight, I look good - I can sell this fight and do all the things he can't do.
"Let's do it in Croatia, we have stadiums, great venues and Britons can come and visit a beautiful country and watch a great fight."
