Chisora Says Dubois Would Be 'Far Too Good' for Hrgovic in a Rematch

Derek Chisora doesn't see a sequel going Filip Hrgovic's way. Asked whether the Croatian could reverse their 2024 result against Daniel Dubois, the 50-fight veteran told DAZN that Dubois is simply operating on another level right now — and that he wouldn't want any part of him himself.

There's a case for it. Dubois sits at 23-3 with a 22-KO record, a finish rate that borders on absurd for the heavyweight division, and he's the reigning WBO champion. His last two outings against Fabio Wardley tell the story: an 11th-round stoppage the first time, built off surviving two knockdowns, then an emphatic second-round finish in the rematch last Saturday to keep the belt.

How We Got Here

The first Dubois-Hrgovic meeting was genuinely close. Both men had their moments through seven rounds before two deep cuts over Hrgovic's eyes made it unsafe to continue in the eighth. Dubois was later upgraded from interim to full IBF champion, defended with a fifth-round stoppage of Anthony Joshua, then lost that strap to Oleksandr Usyk before rebuilding as a two-time titlist via Wardley.

Hrgovic hasn't been idle either. He's coming off a dramatic ninth-round stoppage of Moses Itauma in August, and his next move looks like a mandatory IBF defence against Frank Sanchez early next year. That's not a man drifting — but Chisora still thinks the gap has widened.

Chisora's Bigger Claim

Chisora went further than just the Hrgovic matchup. He floated the idea of Dubois dominating the entire division, making him the favourite against WBC champion Agit Kabayel — unbeaten at 27-0 (19 KO) — and against Itauma too. That's a bold read, but it fits a fighter whose finishing power has never been in question.

Whether any of it materialises depends on the usual heavyweight chess. Hrgovic has Sanchez to handle, Kabayel has his own lane, and Dubois has to actually sign the dotted line. For now, Chisora's verdict is blunt: the Dubois rolling through 2026 is one he'd steer well clear of.