Queensberry Promotions

Filip Hrgovic’s first defense of his IBF heavyweight title against Frank Sanchez is being lined up for Zagreb, Croatia, in early 2027.

Hrgovic, who claimed the vacant belt when he upset Moses Itauma in August, has expressed his desire to face WBO champion Daniel Dubois but is contractually obliged to first take on Sanchez, the IBF mandatory challenger.

Cuba’s Sanchez, 26-1 (19 KOs), earned the No. 1 position in the rankings in May when he knocked out Richard Torrez Jnr in two rounds. The IBF subsequently ordered him to face Itauma for the belt relinquished by Oleksandr Usyk.

However, with Itauma, then ranked No. 2, and fourth-ranked Hrgovic already scheduled to fight, an agreement was reached for Sanchez to face the winner.

Hrgovic, 21-1 (16 KOs), stopped Itauma in nine rounds and is now set for his first fight in his homeland of Croatia since 2018.

"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," Sanchez's manager, Mike Borao, told Sky Sports.

"I have already communicated with George Warren [of Queensberry Promotions] and will likely speak again this week. Frank has speed and power, but also brings experience and stamina, so he is anxious to fight Hrgovic.

It’s understood that the 24,000-capacity Arena Zagreb is under consideration as the venue.

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