Could Hrgovic swerve Sanchez for unification after Itauma win?

Mere minutes after turning the tables on Moses Itauma in a nine-round barnburner, the 34-year-old was calling out new foes.

Notably, however, 'El Animal' demurred on an anticipated bout with lead IBF challenger Frank Sanchez when pressed afterwards.

Instead, the star wishes to take aim at unification bouts with WBC kingpin Agit Kabayel and WBO titleholder Daniel Dubois next.

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Hrgovic stuns Moses to become IBF champion

Watch: Croatian upsets Briton to earn heavyweight crown

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But just how credible is Hrgovic's case to bypass his mandatory contender, especially after the latter helped make his dream a reality?

DAZN News considers what will likely come next for the hard-hitting glamour-division hero and whether he can find another way.

What has Hrgovic said on Sanchez?

Speaking in the ring on DAZN's broadcast after sensationally turning the tables on Moses, Hrgovic was in quite the bullish mood.

"Come on, man. What Frank Sanchez? I want unification," he said. "I want Daniel Dubois in a unification if he wins his next fight.

"I want Agit Kabayel. I want unification. Frank Sanchez will wait. He'll get another step-aside. He'll make money without fighting."

The star's forward statement ran counter to Queensberry Promotions boss Frank Warren's claims on Sanchez being the next foe.

"I hear what's being said," he added on his fighter's comments. "[But] there's an obligation. If we can work it out, we'll work it out."

Could Hrgovic swerve Sanchez?

Generally, governing bodies can make exceptions to champions facing their mandatory challenger — typically if they aim to unify.

Therefore, Hrgovic has put the IBF firmly on the spot with his plans to push forward and tackle one of the division's other champions.

But that may be easier said than done. Dubois has an immediate rematch in October with ex-WBO man Fabio Wardley, for starters.

WBA champion Murat Gassiev, meanwhile, is believed to be in discussions for his next defence with American star Jarrell Miller.

That would leave Kabayel, who has been inactive since January, and the German could well be the key after stepping into the ring to address Hrgovic. 

What if Hrgovic cannot avoid Sanchez?

Simply put, if the Croatian is unable to secure a crack at a fellow champion, it is unlikely Sanchez will be persuaded to wait.

That would put a clock from the IBF on Hrgovic's agreement to a date — and a failure to do so could see him stripped of his crown.

The governing body are no stranger to pulling a marquee title if a fighter fails to follow their rules, no matter their division or prestige.

That would leave Hrgovic with a choice — and ultimately, it seems hard to imagine him relinquishing his crown without one defence.

Either way, the fallout from his shock upset over Moses promises to be a fascinating subplot as the rest of the year spills outwards.

Ring Magazine

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