The Filip Hrgovic vs Frank Sanchez showdown is emerging as a major development in the heavyweight division, with the IBF champion reportedly preparing for a possible homecoming defence in Croatia that could postpone a highly anticipated unification clash with WBO title holder Daniel Dubois.
Hrgovic, who captured the IBF heavyweight championship after stopping Moses Itauma in August 2026, is expected to face Cuban contender Sanchez during the first quarter of 2027. Although Zagreb has been mentioned as a possible host city, neither the fight date nor the venue has been officially confirmed.
The proposed contest could reshape the heavyweight title picture, particularly for Dubois, who has made no secret of his determination to collect the remaining championship belts and establish himself as the undisputed king of the division.
For Hrgovic, a fight on home soil would offer an opportunity to celebrate his championship status in front of Croatian supporters. For Sanchez, it represents a chance to make history by becoming Cuba’s first heavyweight world champion.
Sanchez’s Camp Expects Hrgovic Fight in Early 2027
Sanchez’s manager, Mike Borao, has indicated that negotiations and preparations are moving towards a possible meeting with Hrgovic in the opening months of next year.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Borao said: “I expect Frank Sanchez versus Filip Hrgovic to take place in the first quarter of 2027, perhaps in Zagreb, but too early to know for sure.”
The statement points to Croatia as a potential destination for the championship contest, although the manager stopped short of confirming that the fight had been finalised.
A Croatian venue would give Hrgovic the chance to defend his title before a home crowd, adding another dimension to a matchup that already carries significant implications for the heavyweight rankings.
Sanchez, meanwhile, would enter the contest seeking the biggest victory of his professional career. A win over the IBF champion could elevate the Cuban into the centre of the heavyweight title race and strengthen his claim to a future undisputed championship opportunity.
Borao believes his fighter possesses the qualities required to overcome Hrgovic. He has highlighted Sanchez’s speed, power, experience and stamina as important advantages ahead of the potential encounter.
The manager also made his ambitions for Sanchez unmistakably clear, declaring: “Sanchez will become the first Cuban heavyweight champion.”
That prediction underlines the scale of the challenge facing Sanchez. Defeating a reigning heavyweight champion would require him to deliver against an opponent who has already established himself as one of the division’s leading contenders.
Zagreb Emerges as a Potential Host City
The prospect of bringing the fight to Croatia has attracted support from Arena Zagreb, one of the country’s major indoor sporting venues.
Sretan Saric, the arena’s managing director, expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of hosting the championship event.
“Of course I support the opportunity to hold the fight at Arena Zagreb.”
His comments indicate a willingness to stage the bout, but they do not constitute confirmation that the venue has secured the event.
If the contest takes place in Zagreb, Hrgovic could benefit from fighting in familiar surroundings while carrying the expectations associated with defending a world title at home.
A major heavyweight championship fight could also draw substantial attention to Croatian boxing, particularly if Hrgovic enters the contest following his title-winning performance against Itauma.
However, the commercial appeal of a homecoming defence must be weighed against the wider championship picture. The heavyweight division is approaching a period in which mandatory obligations, title defences and unification ambitions could determine who gets the next opportunity to consolidate power.
For Hrgovic, the immediate priority appears to be the proposed Sanchez contest. For Dubois, the possibility of another fight taking precedence raises questions about when he might get the chance to add the IBF belt to his collection.
How Hrgovic’s Proposed Defence Affects Daniel Dubois
Dubois has made his ambition to become undisputed heavyweight champion central to his plans. The British fighter wants to unify the division’s major titles, but Hrgovic’s expected IBF defence could complicate the route towards that objective.
The two heavyweights were brought into the same conversation when Hrgovic attended an event at The O2 to watch Dubois defend his WBO championship. Their face-off intensified interest in a possible rematch, although a fresh contest would depend on the relevant championship arrangements.
Dubois has already beaten Hrgovic, giving him a previous victory over the Croatian. Nevertheless, Hrgovic’s subsequent rise to the IBF title means the pair could meet again with considerably more at stake.
A unification contest would offer Dubois the opportunity to add another major belt to his collection. It would also give Hrgovic a chance to avenge his earlier defeat while defending the championship he has since acquired.
The proposed Sanchez fight, however, introduces a potential obstacle. If Hrgovic must first complete that defence, Dubois may have to wait before a unification agreement becomes realistic.
The precise timetable remains uncertain, and the proposed Sanchez contest should not be treated as a confirmed reason for a specific delay. Nevertheless, the possibility highlights how mandatory defences and competing championship commitments can complicate plans for heavyweight unification.
Dubois Makes His Undisputed Ambition Clear
Dubois has repeatedly emphasised that his ultimate objective is to secure every major heavyweight championship belt.
Speaking about his plans, the WBO champion said: “To win all the belts. That’s the main thing now for me, collecting all the other belts.”
He also explained what achieving that goal would mean to him.
“It would mean everything to have all those belts. No one can take that away from me. That’s what I’m after now.”
The comments demonstrate that Dubois is focused on more than simply retaining his current championship. His ambition is to establish a legacy by becoming the division’s undisputed champion.
However, achieving that status requires more than winning individual fights. Champions must navigate mandatory challengers, negotiations, promotional arrangements and the schedules of rival titleholders.
That reality could become increasingly important if Hrgovic proceeds with his proposed defence against Sanchez before considering another meeting with Dubois.
The British champion has also identified Hrgovic and WBC titleholder Agit Kabayel as possible opponents in his pursuit of the remaining belts.
“Any one of them, Hrgovic, he was there on Saturday, maybe him or [WBC champion Agit] Kabayel,” Dubois said.
He acknowledged the challenge presented by both men, adding: “Hrgovic was tough as well, Kabayel, we’ll see, we’ll see what he’s about. He ain’t been in with a guy like me but he’s a good fighter.”
Dubois made his willingness to face a champion particularly clear when discussing his next steps.
“Just anyone with a damn belt… Anyone who wants it.”
What the Potential Fight Means for Heavyweight Boxing
The Filip Hrgovic vs Frank Sanchez matchup could become one of the division’s significant early-2027 contests if the reported plans lead to an agreement.
Hrgovic would be defending his IBF championship against an opponent whose ambitions extend beyond a routine title challenge. Sanchez is seeking a historic breakthrough, while his management believes he has the physical attributes and experience to defeat the Croatian.
For Dubois, the situation presents a different calculation. His goal of becoming undisputed depends on gaining access to the other champions, and any additional defence by a rival titleholder could affect the timing of potential unification negotiations.
The situation does not necessarily mean a Hrgovic-Dubois unification fight will be abandoned. Rather, it illustrates how the sequence of championship obligations can determine whether major heavyweight clashes happen immediately or must wait.
A Sanchez victory would dramatically alter the picture by making the Cuban a new force in the IBF title race. A Hrgovic win, meanwhile, would strengthen the Croatian’s position and potentially leave Dubois facing further negotiations before the two could meet again.
The proposed Croatian venue could also give the fight a distinct atmosphere, with Hrgovic potentially defending his championship in front of supporters in his home country.
Yet several details remain unresolved. The exact date, venue and final arrangements have not been confirmed, and the heavyweight division’s next moves will depend on the decisions made by the fighters and their respective teams.
For now, Sanchez appears to be in line for a major opportunity, Hrgovic is being linked with a homecoming title defence, and Dubois remains intent on pursuing every available championship.
The key question is whether Hrgovic’s next move will bring him closer to a unification showdown with Dubois or force the British champion to pursue another route towards becoming undisputed.
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