BoxRec

IBF orders Filip Hrgovic vs Andy Ruiz Jr for interim title

Unified champions continue to be a logistical nightmare.

Back in November, the WBC officially ordered no. 1 heavyweight Deontay Wilder to face Andy Ruiz Jr in a final eliminator, having previously designated their respective fights with Robert Helenius and Luiz Ortiz as semifinals. Now, however, Eddie Hearn tells Boxing Social that “Destroyer” has been tabbed to meet Filip Hrgovic for an interim IBF title.

“Actually, Filip Hrgovic has been ordered to fight Andy Ruiz for the Interim IBF World title. There’s negotiations going on between myself, Nisse and Kalle, and Tom Brown from PBC.”

The Sauerlands, who co-promote Hrgovic (15-0, 12 KOs), appeared to confirm the news on Twitter.

There are some layers here, so let’s take it a bit at a time. As interim titles go, this one’s justifiable; the IBF recently acknowledged that the WBA was next in line for a title shot, and between that and potential rematch shenanigans between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, it will likely be at least 2024 before the winner gets their shot.

As fights go, it’s not as interesting as Ruiz (35-2, 22 KOs) vs Wilder, but it’s solid, and the general “big awkward guy with an unholy right hand against the quick chubby guy” theme is still intact. Hrgovic showed a lot of vulnerabilities in his controversial decision over Zhang Zhilei and Ruiz has been weirdly underwhelming since falling to Joshua, so there’s enough instability to keep things interesting.

It’s not clear at the moment how the WBC’s side of things will play out. Frank Sanchez sits behind Ruiz in the rankings, which would be a fun fight, but he’s also with Matchroom and has shown zero ambition since beating Efe Ajagba. Behind him are Arslanbek Makhmudov, whose handlers shouldn’t allow within 200 feet of Wilder, and Anthony Joshua, also Matchroom.

I heard negotiations have begun.

Ruiz may well just take on Wilder for more money and can probably beat Wilder.

Andy Ruiz is in a pretty special position that reminds me of when Andrew Golota got three different title shots in a row. His management ought to try to lock in both the WBC #1 contenders spot against Wilder, as well as the IBF interim strap with Hrgovic. That way even if he loses one he can have a chance at the other.

Wilder definitely would be more money and prestige as far as I'm concerned, but Hrgovic would certainly be the easier road because I'm not completely convinced that this guy is really the goods like so many people want to make him out to be. I've not been impressed with what I've seen so far.

Would Al Haymon advise Ruiz to take it? I have a feeling he wouldn't because of his own self interest but that would expose bad advice. Tough to tell.

I think it really comes down to whether Ruiz wants to fight Wilder or not.

The IBF route may well be the better one for Ruiz. Hrgovic is a far easier fight (although less money than Wilder, presumably) and if he is in that Interim position the IBF always appear far more keen to enforce mandatories and strip their champions for failing to adhere to them than the WBC.

Won't happen IMO.

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑20 Jan 2023, 10:52 Won't happen IMO.

Who knows if it will happen. If it does happen it will Hrgovic via KO. Fat Andy is out of his class here. The IBF title fight?

pound per pound wrote: ↑20 Jan 2023, 14:21

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑20 Jan 2023, 10:52 Won't happen IMO.

Who knows if it will happen. If it does happen it will Hrgovic via KO. Fat Andy is out of his class here. The IBF title fight?

I don't see Haymon letting Andy take the fight unless it's for a vacant belt and even then I'm not so sure. PBC usually provide their own opponents.

Bandog wrote: ↑20 Jan 2023, 10:31 I think it really comes down to whether Ruiz wants to fight Wilder or not.

OK, I would have thought it might be the other way around. Wilder's career has been way more 'curated' than fat Andys.

KiwiRider wrote: ↑20 Jan 2023, 16:25

Bandog wrote: ↑20 Jan 2023, 10:31 I think it really comes down to whether Ruiz wants to fight Wilder or not.

OK, I would have thought it might be the other way around. Wilder's career has been way more 'curated' than fat Andys.

If Andy is smart, he will take the Hrgovic fight. Winnable, but less money, but will be able to not get concussed to a point he needs a fulltime nurse at home.

Both Hrgo and Ruiz have performed inferior to the expectations in their last bouts, so it depends on how much each of them can a prove. It's a close to 50-50 matchup, that's why it's interesting.

DrDuke wrote: ↑20 Jan 2023, 21:19 Both Hrgo and Ruiz have performed inferior to the expectations in their last bouts, so it depends on how much each of them can a prove. It's a close to 50-50 matchup, that's why it's interesting.

Oh yeah, don't get me wrong, I'm fully into this as long as Andy finds the gym regularly.

I think hrgovic could of beaten ruiz within his first few fights (mabey even on debut). but now im less sure.

-228lb moving amature style hrgovic would probably just out point ruiz.

-240+, sit on your overhand right, flat footed hrgovic is less suited to outboxing him long, and sitting in the pocket with ruiz is always interesting.

KiwiRider wrote: ↑20 Jan 2023, 16:25

Bandog wrote: ↑20 Jan 2023, 10:31 I think it really comes down to whether Ruiz wants to fight Wilder or not.

OK, I would have thought it might be the other way around. Wilder's career has been way more 'curated' than fat Andys.

I think you are correct. At any rate Hrgovic appears to have moved up based on reporting that he will be facing Ruiz.

Big fights await this young and in his prime contender.

Hrgovic vs. Ruiz for the IBF title.

Fury vs. Usyk for the other belts with the winner being viewed as number one overall.

Joyce vs. Zhang. For the " seniors " belt.

All three fights are in the working on dates and venues.

Wilder vs. Joshua? That will eliminate a fraud for sure.

Finally there is something in the division to talk about! May they all happen.

Ruiz would kick the crap out of Hrg.

oogiebe wrote: ↑21 Jan 2023, 14:33 Ruiz would kick the crap out of Hrg.

100% if he's in half decent shape. Don't rate Hrg.

oogiebe wrote: ↑21 Jan 2023, 14:33 Ruiz would kick the crap out of Hrg.

He didn't do it with shabby Arreola and Ortiz, who got hurt barely from every clean shot.

DrDuke wrote: ↑21 Jan 2023, 23:00

oogiebe wrote: ↑21 Jan 2023, 14:33 Ruiz would kick the crap out of Hrg.

He didn't do it with shabby Arreola and Ortiz, who got hurt barely from every clean shot.

So? Hrg is nothing. Perfect setup for Ruiz to launch himself into another big payday.

oogiebe wrote: ↑21 Jan 2023, 23:07

DrDuke wrote: ↑21 Jan 2023, 23:00

oogiebe wrote: ↑21 Jan 2023, 14:33 Ruiz would kick the crap out of Hrg.

He didn't do it with shabby Arreola and Ortiz, who got hurt barely from every clean shot.

So? Hrg is nothing. Perfect setup for Ruiz to launch himself into another big payday.

If Ruiz won't be the same lethargic like in a bunch of recent bouts.

DrDuke wrote: ↑21 Jan 2023, 23:10

oogiebe wrote: ↑21 Jan 2023, 23:07

DrDuke wrote: ↑21 Jan 2023, 23:00

He didn't do it with shabby Arreola and Ortiz, who got hurt barely from every clean shot.

So? Hrg is nothing. Perfect setup for Ruiz to launch himself into another big payday.

If Ruiz won't be the same lethargic like in a bunch of recent bouts.

True, assuming Ruiz is motivated.

Hrgovic kill him...
Into 6 rounds

morm wrote: ↑22 Jan 2023, 12:27 Hrgovic kill him...
Into 6 rounds

I'd lay 10-1 against. Easy.

ruiz is usually hum drum, massively flattered by the first aj fight, which has given a lot of ppl the wrong idea about how punishing of a fighter he is. he couldnt even stop the ghost of sergey liakhovich or drop a flop mode dimitrenko. arreola had been shopworn for yeears and he couldnt budge him either.

but he should have enough for big bad, crude clubbing filly, who hasnt progressed at all in his career and was fortunate to get the win after being put through hell by big bang zhang.

I would definitely prefer Ruiz - Hrgovic to Usyk - Hrgovic. Hrgovic has absolutely not earned a shot at a top 2 champion yet. Ruiz is most likely gonna KO him, and it won't even hardly make a dent in Ruiz's resume that already contains wins against Joshua and Ortiz. I would prefer that Hrgovic fight someone like Bakole / Sanchez / Chisora / Hunter / Ortiz while Ruiz fight Joyce / Whyte / Hunter / maybe Wilder. But anyways, I don't hate this fight. It's not just great.