Filip Hrgović to fight Kiwi Joseph Parker in IBF final eliminator?

New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker beat Derek Chisora for the second time on points at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday night.

After the win, the attention quickly turned to the next possible match up for the 29-year-old former WBO champion as he aims to get back to world title level.

That next match could well be against Filip Hrgović in an IBF final eliminator the Croatian’s camp is pushing promoter Eddie Hearn to make it happen.

‘Love Filip Hrgović v Joseph Parket as a final eliminator’, the Sauerland brothers, who manage Hrgović, asked Hearn via social media after Parker’s victory.

Love @Filip_Hrgovic v Joseph Parker as a final eliminator 👀 @EddieHearn 💥

— Kalle & Nisse Sauerland (@SauerlandBros) December 18, 2021

Hearn said after Parker’s win on Saturday that he liked the idea of a fight against Hrgović. 

I think it would be a very good fight and the winner would get a chance to face the winner of the Joshua and Usyk fiight, Hearn said, adding that there was also other options for Parker, including Wilder, another fight with Andy Ruiz and Ortiz.

Hrgović notched up his 14th win of his professional career earlier this month in Las Vegas when he recorded a third round win by TKO over Serbia-born German Emir Ahmatović.

It has been a frustrating last couple of years for Hrgović, who is still waiting to fight a top-class opponent but Hearn promised the Croatian that the IBF eliminator fight will be next.

“I don’t know what is going on. You (Hearn) are the biggest promoter in the world. I hope you find someone to fight me, I am looking forward to big fights and I am ready for anyone. I know I have the quality and talent to become the best fighter in the world,” Hrgović said.

“It has been a frustrating time for Filip, the whole IBF situation, we went through the top 15 I think twice, no-one wants to fight Filip. Next year someone is going to have to fight him for the mandatory and I believe you are looking at the new world champ. 2022 is going to be Filip Hrgović’s year,” Nisse Sauerland said before his Las Vegas fight.