Frank Sanchez is the IBF mandatory challenger and plays a role in decision-making. Sanchez accepted step-aside money to facilitate Hrgovic’s fight with Itauma. Hrgovic now appears to want a unification of the major world titles. However, taking a lucrative bout against another fighter could reel in a massive payday and attention.<\/p>\n
![\"Filip](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790360535_703_01jr40vdk60y26rrzet1.jpg\" "\\"Filip")
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Filip Hrgovic | IMAGO \/ PRiME Media Images<\/p>\n
Earlier this summer, kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven opened eyes by nearly defeating Oleksandr Usyk in a controversial bout. Although he emerged from the fight with a loss, the way he pushed Usyk to the limit earned him both applause and perhaps future fights. A potential title fight between Hrgovic and Verhoeven could generate even greater interest in the Croatian champion’s reign.<\/p>\n
Will Sanchez step aside again?<\/p>\n
Sanchez took a hefty payout <\/a>to allow for the Hrgovic vs Itauma fight to happen. Now, would he be willing to repeat history? With Alalshikh’s interest piqued, his substantial bankroll could further enrich Sanchez. Granted, to step aside once again, his camp will need the offer to be significantly higher than the Itauma fight. <\/p>\n Hrgovic addressed the potentially thorny issue when speaking to the media.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s mandatory but if he needs to make another step aside, if financially we agreed, I think we are open to do whatever we want. We will see, at this moment we don\u2019t know. My ultimate goal is to unify.\u201d<\/p>\n WHAT. A. SHOT. \ud83d\udca5<\/p>\n A brutal KO from Frank Sanchez \ud83e\udd2f<\/p>\n Glory in Giza | May 23rd | Live NOW on DAZN \ud83e\udd4a pic.twitter.com\/ow0sWwg0UU<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Verhoeven has two professional fights and lost both. However, against Usyk, he showed enough savvy, timing, and guile to be competitive and nearly defeat the Hall of Fame fighter. In itself, that should be enough. <\/p>\n Usyk, on paper and in reality, is the far better fighter than Hrgovic. Yet, is that enough to make the fight interesting? <\/p>\n Remember, Hrgovic needed to make an epic comeback to get to that fateful ninth round, by which point Itauma was so gassed that he became a stationary target. There is no guarantee Verhoeven will do the same. In fact, he looked to pace himself against Usyk, and that ended up much better than anyone thought.<\/p>\n Highlights of Oleksandr Usyk’s victory over Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza \ud83c\udf9e\ufe0f<\/p>\n Glory in Giza on DAZN \ud83e\udd4a pic.twitter.com\/D2KGDQXwI0<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 24, 2026<\/a>Hrgovic vs Verhoeven on Fury vs Joshua undercard?<\/p>\n While heavyweight champions defending their titles usually command main event status, placing Hrgovic and Verhoeven second-to-last could benefit both the card and the fighters. That said, there is talk that Manny Pacquiao vs. Shakur Stevenson<\/a> might secure that spot as co-main event.<\/p>\n The IBF champion weighed in with his thoughts<\/a>. \u201cI don\u2019t know, maybe I\u2019ll fight on the undercard. There were some rumors that Turki wants me to fight this guy Rico Verhoeven on that undercard. I heard some rumors about that so maybe I\u2019ll fight on the undercard. Of course I\u2019d like that, I\u2019m in if we can make a good deal.<\/p>\n The large audience will remember not only the main event, which will now be for the WBA title<\/a>, but also the winner of the IBF title fight, which significantly contributes to future earning potential. <\/p>\n With step-aside money almost guaranteed, Verhoeven could position himself to challenge the new champion.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\"){kind=icon}
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