According to reports, Sergey Lapin, the sporting director of Oleksandr Usyk, has disclosed a contingency plan in the event that the rescheduled heavyweight showdown with Tyson Fury on May 18th falls through. If WBC champion Fury withdraws from the fight, Usyk’s team proposes to substitute IBF mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic as the opponent. Although the fight would not be for the undisputed championship without Fury’s WBC title at stake, it would still take place on the scheduled date. Hrgovic, a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, may lack Fury’s fan base and charisma, but he possesses some punching power and a unique fighting style.
Hrgovic is renowned for his rabbit punching technique in the heavyweight division, making it a concern for Usyk. His ability to land powerful shots from behind the head adds an element of unpredictability to the match. However, if the referee effectively enforces the rules against illegal punches, Hrgovic’s slow and robotic fighting style could pose a challenge for Usyk.
There are lingering doubts surrounding Fury’s commitment to the fight due to a recent eye injury allegedly sustained during sparring. This injury led to the postponement of the February 17th bout and has caused Usyk and his team to question Fury’s willingness to face him. Furthermore, Fury’s participation in the fight may be influenced by the significant financial incentive offered by the Saudis. Despite a $10 million penalty clause in the contract, the fight’s occurrence on May 18th is uncertain if Fury suffers another injury during training camp.
Usyk’s team has included a clause in the contract that allows him to face Hrgovic if Fury withdraws from the fight. This serves as a backup option, ensuring that Usyk has an opponent ready in case Fury is unable to compete. The announcement of this clause by Sergey Lapin, the sporting director for Usyk, has generated discussions among boxing enthusiasts.
According to the Source boxingnews24.com