Croatia’s best heavyweight boxer Filip Hrgovic believes the reason the former two-time WBC title challenger Luis Ortiz don’t want to fight him in an IBF title eliminator fight is simple – the Cuban is scared.
The International Boxing Federation ordered a fight between the two heavy hitters that should have determined the next mandatory challenger, but Ortiz rejected the offer saying that his hand got hurt in his fight with Charles Martin that took place this past January 1.
Hrgovic is undefeated in the pro ranks, but the Croatian can’t find quality opponents because nobody really wants to fight him.
“Of course I know why, he don’t want the smoke, man,” Hrgovic told IFL TV. “There’s no such official reason, so we all can figure out what is the reason: He didn’t want that fight. It’s IBF eliminator, it’s a great chance for everyone. I don’t understand. But it is what it is.”
After Ortiz’s refusal, the IBF sent a letter to Joseph Parker, whose team also declined the invitation, citing pay. Now the next in line is France’s Tony Yoka who was supposed to face Martin Bakole in Paris on Jan. 15, but that fight was canceled in light of new Covid-19 restrictions.