Are the IBF's rules the reason why heavyweights are rejecting the Hrgovic bout?

[KiwiRider]

hrgovic was so highly ranked before he had beat a pulse or being in a meaningfull fight... because of that there is a Croatian whos best win is arguably mansour in 2018 commanding the big split against guys that have been grinding out tough fights.

For example since 2017 parker has:
-headlined a ppv vs hughie
-headlined a ppv vs AJ
-headlined a ppv vs whyte
-headlined a couple NZ cards/nz ppvs
-Headlined a PPV with chisora
-headlined a DAZN card with chisora...

Since 2017 hrgovics highlights are undercarding against such superstars as:
-turner
-mansour (headlined actualy wowweee)
-kingpin
-molina
-booker

you just can not look at that and think, yea give hrg 3/4s...

Nicely put.
And the money Parker has made, in £ we are talking 18-20 mil easy.

[margaret thatcher]

ya joe can have all the big huge family samoan cookouts he wants

[Enlightened-One]

Here's what Joseph Parker's manager said about the Hrgovic situation, which pretty much aligns with what I've been saying all along:

"There is an economic problem with Hrgovic. When we built up Parker, we built a fan base in New Zealand. We funded, paying big money, to stage Parker vs Andy Ruiz Jr. in New Zealand. Does Hrgovic have a home fan base anywhere? He has attained a high ranking but has no fan base so the money on offer is laughable for somebody like Parker," Dave Higgins said.

"Also, this fight is at the back of the eliminator queue because the other belts must be sorted out. So Parker could fight Hrgovic for a payday that would barely cover his training costs, win, then sit out for a year waiting for his shot."

Neither Wasserman nor Matchroom USA have been willing to invest in Hrgovic, by funding meaningful fights.

And Hrgovic doesn't have a fan-base outside of Croatia.

What makes matters worse, is that the last time Hrgovic competed in Croatia was more than three years ago.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Which hand was injured?

The team hasn’t decided yet.

Left. What is Parker's excuse? Quack Quack

Parker, like Ortiz, is hunting for bigger names and much more lucrative opportunities.

One of the fights that Parker would like to have is a rematch with former unified champion Andy Ruiz, who lost a close twelve round decision to the New Zealand boxer a few years ago.

"Joseph has a great profile in the UK and the Asia-Pacific region. The Holy Grail is to become a draw on both sides of the Atlantic, and only few have done that. For Joseph to grow his career he should look stateside, and look for big knockouts against American fighters," Higgins told Sky Sports.

"That gives him a worldwide reputation while he waits for his title shot. If you don't do that? You end up like Anthony Joshua - only respected in certain parts of London. A rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr would be fantastic. Parker beat Ruiz Jr in a very close fight in New Zealand. Had it have been in America, it may have gone the other way.

"Andy wants a rematch. Fighting him in America is interested because he has a cult following among Mexican-Americans. If Parker stuck to a game plan he would beat Deontay Wilder easily. Dillian Whyte? The long-awaited Whyte rematch would be interesting."

According to Higgins, the money being presented for a Hrgovic fight is way below what Parker generates for other contests - which makes it a very problematic option to even consider.

"There is an economic problem with Hrgovic. When we built up Parker, we built a fan base in New Zealand. We funded, paying big money, to stage Parker vs Andy Ruiz Jr in New Zealand. Does Hrgovic have a home fan base anywhere? He has attained a high ranking but has no fan base so the money on offer is laughable for somebody like Parker," Higgins said.

"Also, this fight is at the back of the eliminator queue because the other belts must be sorted out. So Parker could fight Hrgovic for a payday that would barely cover his training costs, win, then sit out for a year waiting for his shot."

[polecateddy]

Hrgovic has a big reputation for being a formidable fighter in various training camps. He’s a massively avoided fighter, and probably a lot better than Parker and Ruiz.

[Enlightened-One]

Hrgovic has a big reputation for being a formidable fighter in various training camps. He’s a massively avoided fighter, and probably a lot better than Parker and Ruiz.

Two small questions:

• Do you think that Hrgovic is being “avoided” by his rivals because they’re “scared of him” or do you instead believe they haven’t received any offers (or those that were made came with appallingly small paydays)?

• Do you think that Hrgovic’s reputation in the gym is one of the main reasons why he’s being “avoided”, bearing in mind his resume is terribly dire, coupled with the fact that some fighters either overperform (David Price) or underperform (George Groves) when they’re sparring?

[Enlightened-One]

The problem I have with fight fans that don’t follow the business side of the sport, often don’t consider the fact that we’ve regularly seen fighters (i.e. Luis Ortiz & Demetrius Andrade) being portrayed as the “Boogeyman” of their respective divisions, with their handlers claiming “no one wants to fight them.”

But what usually happens is that the promoters and managers either do nothing, solely relying on the sports’ governing bodies to order an eliminator involving their fighter, or they submit lowball offers to their rivals and then subsequently proclaim “duck” whenever they’re rejected, which serves to enhance their "fearsome" reputation.

And these marketing tactics inevitably results in the alleged “Boogeyman” continually facing journeymen, lacking a fan base and having no commercial worth (making it much more challenging to negotiate fights).

For the record, I’m not blaming Filip Hrgovic for his plight, instead the blame lies with the Sauerland brothers and Eddie Hearn.

Even Hrgovic himself has alluded to the fact that Wasserman aren’t paying him well and they’re failing to deliver on their promises.

Of course, people are entitled to disagree with me, because their preferred narrative is incompatible with reality.

So instead I’ll detail some of the main points from several Hrgovic interviews that were recorded around the time of his most recent outing, where he aired his frustrations about how his career has been controlled by Wasserman and Matchroom USA:

• He hinted that he was unhappy with his paydays, because he could only afford a McDonald's takeaway to celebrate his most recent victory. It was half said in jest, but you kind of knew he meant it.

• He admitted he couldn’t say much more, by actually complaining about his handlers, otherwise they’ll punish him, by refraining from making big fights during 2022.

• He said his promoters always promise big things for him every year, but nothing actually happens.

• He also admitted that it's extremely challenging to be motivated and be at his best against appalling Ahmatovic calibre opposition.

• And interestingly, he claimed he wasn’t ready to face the very best heavyweights competing today.

• He said he needs two or three bouts against ‘Dereck Chisora’ type opposition in order to improve and be ready for his world title shot opportunity, despite the fact he’s on the cusp of becoming the IBF’s mandatory challenger.

Look, I get it… the more interesting narrative is that Hrgovic’s rivals are utterly “terrified” of the Croatian, but the boring reality is that Filip’s career has been poorly handled.

And regardless as to whatever people want to believe, Filip Hrgovic is a long-time member of the “who needs you?” club.

He’s a commercially unpopular fighter with a terrible resume and his rivals won’t even consider facing him if they aren’t being paid their financial worth.

[polecateddy]

Hrgovic has a big reputation for being a formidable fighter in various training camps. He’s a massively avoided fighter, and probably a lot better than Parker and Ruiz.

Two small questions:

• Do you think that Hrgovic is being “avoided” by his rivals because they’re “scared of him” or do you instead believe they haven’t received any offers (or those that were made came with appallingly small paydays)?

• Do you think that Hrgovic’s reputation in the gym is one of the main reasons why he’s being “avoided”, bearing in mind his resume is terribly dire, coupled with the fact that some fighters either overperform (David Price) or underperform (George Groves) when they’re sparring?

I’m aware the payday is also an issue, but I also don’t think many of his rivals are confident they can beat him. They probably understand when he gets his big chance his game will rise substantially.

[KiwiRider]

"Joseph Parker explained to me that he has elbow trouble," his manager said. "There is an economic problem with Filip Hrgovic";

[Bandog]

I read somewhere Yoka beat Hrgovic and made it look easy in the amateurs. He had a harder time with Joyce, but beat him too.

Give Yoka a shot.

[Frede6]

I read somewhere Yoka beat Hrgovic and made it look easy in the amateurs. He had a harder time with Joyce, but beat him too.

Give Yoka a shot.

As far as I know they have not contacted Yoka (yet). Too risky for Hrgovic and not enough money ?

[Enlightened-One]

Hrgovic has a big reputation for being a formidable fighter in various training camps. He’s a massively avoided fighter, and probably a lot better than Parker and Ruiz.

Two small questions:

• Do you think that Hrgovic is being “avoided” by his rivals because they’re “scared of him” or do you instead believe they haven’t received any offers (or those that were made came with appallingly small paydays)?

• Do you think that Hrgovic’s reputation in the gym is one of the main reasons why he’s being “avoided”, bearing in mind his resume is terribly dire, coupled with the fact that some fighters either overperform (David Price) or underperform (George Groves) when they’re sparring?

I’m aware the payday is also an issue, but I also don’t think many of his rivals are confident they can beat him. They probably understand when he gets his big chance his game will rise substantially.

The thing is, by his own admission, Hrgovic himself feels that he’s inexperienced.

Why are you so confident about him being better than he himself feels he is?

Which fight have you witnessed compels you to believe he’s the real deal?

I’m not mocking you, instead I’m merely curious.

[morm]

no matter to all, who beats Hrgovic ...get a title shot, thats matter or?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Yoka has the invitation now..

[Enlightened-One]

Yoka has the invitation now..

Yoka beats Hrgovic, but the Frenchman might not take the fight if he’s forced to accept either a 40% or a 25% purse split (as per the IBF’s rules).

[Ruthless-RKO]

Yoka has the invitation now..

Yoka beats Hrgovic, but the Frenchman might not take the fight if he’s forced to accept either a 40% or a 25% purse split (as per the IBF’s rules).

Hrgovic beat Yoka for the World Championships didn’t he? Then Yoka got revenge at the Olympics.

Did they fight any other times?

[Enlightened-One]

Yoka has the invitation now..

Yoka beats Hrgovic, but the Frenchman might not take the fight if he’s forced to accept either a 40% or a 25% purse split (as per the IBF’s rules).

Hrgovic beat Yoka for the World Championships didn’t he? Then Yoka got revenge at the Olympics.

Did they fight any other times?

Hrgovic beat Yoka in 2010, only a few days after the Frenchman’s 18th birthday. Both guys were only teenagers at this point in time.

Hrgovic was beaten by Yoka in the 2015 world championships and also during the 2016 Olympics.

Filip Hrgovic was also beaten by Joe Joyce in the WSB in 2013, with the Brit subsequently losing to Yoka around the same dates the Croatian was defeated by the Frenchman (2015 & 2016).

I think it’s fair to say, when we review their amateur and professional resumes, Yoka has been consistently facing and beating better opposition in the amateurs and the pros than Hrgovic has.

But for some reason, it’s the Croatian that possesses the allegedly “fearsome… ducked by all” reputation.

I’m not being derogatory when I say that either, it’s just that before the Dubois fight, Joyce was considered by the forum to be a “bum” compared to Hrgovic. And many still believe the Croatian beats the Brit.

And Yoka isn’t appreciated by the forum as much as Hrgovic is, despite the fact the Croatian has only engaged in mismatches against journeymen for the last 4½ years.

Also, whilst Hrgovic just keeps getting heavier for every outing (since he can probably get away with carrying some excess timber when he’s only facing journeymen), Yoka consistently enters the ring around the same weight (i.e. between 238lbs to 240lbs), which means he’s always in shape (all-year-round).

How many opponents has Filip Hrgovic beaten that were as good as these guys… and I’m not talking about names alone, instead I’m referring to where they were in their careers at the time of their respective fights?

• Johann Duhaupas
• Christian Hammer
• Alexander Dimitrenko
• David Allen
• Petar Milas
• Joel Djeko
• Jonathan Rice
• Michael Wallisch

If anyone thinks Amir Mansour was good as those guys, they'll need to be reminded that the American was 46 years of age and also entering the ring having only won one fight during the 3½ years immediately preceding the Hrgovic bout.

Like I said before though, if Hrgovic’s handlers decide it’s in their best interests (financially) to refrain from negotiating and proceeding to the purse bid process, then Yoka may reject the bout (if the IBF’s purse split rules are implemented, since it’s unlikely the Frenchman would be willing to accept only a 25% share of the purse pot).

[Bandog]

Imo, Yoka would be foolish to not take the fight, which is very winnable. It would set him up for a title shot, and would make probably more than he has in one fight as he has as a pro so far.

[Enlightened-One]

Imo, Yoka would be foolish to not take the fight, which is very winnable. It would set him up for a title shot, and would make probably more than he has in one fight as he has as a pro so far.

The winner of the IBF final eliminator won't be given the opportunity to face the champion any earlier than mid-2023.

And by that time, the belt will probably be vacated.

Fury will dump that strap as soon as he captures it from either Usyk or AJ (based on how that organisation treated The Gypsy King after the Klitschko win).

Usyk will probably retire if he manages to beat AJ and then Fury.

What else can an injury-prone Hall-of-Famer like Oleksandr (in this mid-thirties) hope to achieve at that point of his career? There'll be no more mountains for him to climb if he beats both of those guys.

And I can't imagine Joshua beating Usyk and Fury. He's the underdog against both of those guys.

So I don't think the winner of the IBF final eliminator is guaranteed to receive a big payday opportunity further down the line.

For sure it's feasible, but based on the current heavyweight landscape, it does seem very unlikely.

The important thing to remember is this: 25% of a very small purse pot is literally peanuts! That's why fighters are reluctant to engage in the IBF's final eliminator against Hrgovic.

[tiny_acres]

Imo, Yoka would be foolish to not take the fight, which is very winnable. It would set him up for a title shot, and would make probably more than he has in one fight as he has as a pro so far.

The winner of the IBF final eliminator won't be given the opportunity to face the champion any earlier than mid-2023.

And by that time, the belt will probably be vacated.

Fury will dump that strap as soon as he captures it from either Usyk or AJ (based on how that organisation treated The Gypsy King after the Klitschko win).

Usyk will probably retire if he manages to beat AJ and then Fury.

What else can an injury-prone Hall-of-Famer like Oleksandr (in this mid-thirties) hope to achieve at that point of his career? There'll be no more mountains for him to climb if he beats both of those guys.

And I can't imagine Joshua beating Usyk and Fury. He's the underdog against both of those guys.

So I don't think the winner of the IBF final eliminator is guaranteed to receive a big payday opportunity further down the line.

For sure it's feasible, but based on the current heavyweight landscape, it does seem very unlikely.

The important thing to remember is this: 25% of a very small purse pot is literally peanuts! That's why fighters are reluctant to engage in the IBF's final eliminator against Hrgovic.

Looking at the IBF top 15. I think the first that would take a 25% offer would be Demsey McKean.
Only one with nothing to loose and would still be his biggest payday

[KiwiRider]

Don't get hung up on the purse split.
There are other ways to get fighters a pay day.
If it was Parker, he could take the paultry 25% purse split, and 100% of the Asia Pacific PPV $$$.

[gregregegg]

Don't get hung up on the purse split.
There are other ways to get fighters a pay day.
If it was Parker, he could take the paultry 25% purse split, and 100% of the Asia Pacific PPV $$$.

You could ask for that. But it’s no garentee they give it to you. I’m sure they wouldent. They know heaps of the money for this fight is in aus and no pay per view (or dazn depending on who hosts it) why would they give it away.

Hrg gets his percent of everything, including nz

[KiwiRider]

Don't get hung up on the purse split.
There are other ways to get fighters a pay day.
If it was Parker, he could take the paultry 25% purse split, and 100% of the Asia Pacific PPV $$$.

You could ask for that. But it’s no garentee they give it to you. I’m sure they wouldent. They know heaps of the money for this fight is in aus and no pay per view (or dazn depending on who hosts it) why would they give it away.

Hrg gets his percent of everything, including nz

Every contract is negotiable.
The only way I can see Hrgovic being the A side is if he wins a belt. His team should be prepared to negotiate towards that goal. Its not like they have put in huge investment so far, otherwise people would have heard of him and seen him.
Sticking to the rules has got him nowhere so far and I wouldn't be surprised if Yoka turns it down too.

[gregregegg]

Don't get hung up on the purse split.
There are other ways to get fighters a pay day.
If it was Parker, he could take the paultry 25% purse split, and 100% of the Asia Pacific PPV $$$.

You could ask for that. But it’s no garentee they give it to you. I’m sure they wouldent. They know heaps of the money for this fight is in aus and no pay per view (or dazn depending on who hosts it) why would they give it away.

Hrg gets his percent of everything, including nz

Every contract is negotiable.
The only way I can see Hrgovic being the A side is if he wins a belt. His team should be prepared to negotiate towards that goal. Its not like they have put in huge investment so far, otherwise people would have heard of him and seen him.
Sticking to the rules has got him nowhere so far and I wouldn't be surprised if Yoka turns it down too.

Yea but my guess is hrg negotiates only with easy wins so that he definatly gets his title shot. Everyone risky will be “purse bid condition”

[joshj909]

Yoka is reportedly interested. You'd think it would be in France or maybe on the Usyk/AJ card.