Hrgovic Wants March Rematch, Vows Stoppage of Dubois

Filip Hrgovic says he wants a March rematch with Daniel Dubois and believes his recent fight with Moses Itauma has sharpened him enough to finally solve Dubois's jab.

The pitch came during an in-ring face-off after Dubois stopped Fabio Wardley in the second round of their rematch Saturday night. Hrgovic was not sold on the performance. "I was not impressed," Hrgovic said. "Something wasn't right, and it was an easy job for Daniel. I want to fight him."

Why Hrgovic Thinks Itauma Changes the Equation

Hrgovic's central argument is about timing, not power. Having already dealt with Itauma's hand speed, Hrgovic expects Dubois to look slow by comparison. "I think after Moses, fighting Daniel will be like slow motion, man," he said.

That confidence comes with a specific game plan. Hrgovic knows Dubois's jab is the first problem to solve. "I will defend his jab," he said. "I will push him to go backwards, not allow him to go forward. I will control him with the jab, move my head, block his jab." He also said he was sick and injured going into the first fight with Dubois and attributed his cuts to clashes with Dubois's head, and he expects a different outcome in a rematch.

There's a real tension in that strategy, though. Walking Dubois backward means Hrgovic has to keep stepping forward himself, right into the power jab he says he wants to take away. Head movement alone won't be enough if he's also the one closing the distance.

What Hrgovic's Path to a Win Actually Looks Like

If there's a realistic route for Hrgovic, it's turning the fight into a phone-booth brawl rather than a boxing match. Dubois has shown in the past that when fights get dragged into chaotic, close-range exchanges where he's absorbing clubbing shots, his composure can slip. That's the version of Dubois Hrgovic says he's hunting, not the one who picks opponents apart behind a jab from the outside.

None of this is official yet. Hrgovic floated March as his target date, arguing he should be available since he came through his bout with Itauma, and that Dubois should also be ready given he escaped the Wardley rematch without apparent injury. No fight has been agreed to or scheduled by either side.

Betting Angle

There's no line to react to yet since nothing is signed, but the shape of this matchup is worth watching once odds do open. Hrgovic's stated plan, pressing forward to cut off the ring and strip away Dubois's jab, is the kind of stylistic wrinkle that can shift a number quickly if bettors believe he can actually close distance without eating clean shots on the way in. Given how the first fight went for Hrgovic, expect oddsmakers to need convincing before they move off Dubois as the likely favorite.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois agree to a rematch?

No. Filip Hrgovic proposed a March rematch with Daniel Dubois during a face-off, but no fight has been agreed to or scheduled.

Why does Filip Hrgovic think he can beat Daniel Dubois now?

Filip Hrgovic says facing Moses Itauma's hand speed has sharpened his timing, so he expects Daniel Dubois's punches to look slower by comparison.

What is Filip Hrgovic's game plan against Daniel Dubois?

Hrgovic says he plans to neutralize Daniel Dubois's jab, move his head, and push Dubois backward rather than let him set the pace.