Heavyweight Hrgovic could be next for Itauma with win vs. Allen
Underdog Allen says this is the big fight he has been looking for
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Heavyweight contender Filip Hrgovic’s contract with Queensberry Promotions had expired and the company was interested in re-signing him. But upstart Zuffa Boxing, looking to beef up its roster, also made an offer.
In the end, Hrgovic and reigning manager of the year Keith Connolly opted for the Queensberry deal and returned to Frank Warren’s company. Besides the financials, the Queensberry roster is loaded with top heavyweights and Hrgovic will find himself in the mix for any number of notable fights.
The first bout of the new deal, however, came as something of a surprise to Hrgovic, who will face popular Brit Dave Allen — a Matchroom Boxing fighter — in the 10-round headliner of a Queensberry card on Saturday (DAZN, 2 p.m. ET) at Eco-Power Stadium in Allen’s hometown of Doncaster, England.
“To be honest, I wasn’t expecting this kind of fight,” Hrgovic said this week. “I was calling out names like Fabio Wardley, a rematch with Daniel Dubois, or Agit Kabayel. But this fight was offered. It was a good deal, so I accepted.”
There is also the prospect of what very well could be next if Hrgovic wins and is uninjured — and he is a prohibitive favorite: an Aug. 8 fight with rising star, WBO mandatory challenger and fellow Queensberry fighter Moses Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs), 21, who was the 2024 Fight Freaks Unite prospect of the year.
