Tyson Fury names Filip Hergovic vs Tony Yoka as the eliminator fight he wants to see for the right to a shot at Oleksandr Usyak’s IBF world title.
The 33-year-old Gypsy King took to social media on Wednesday as he called out the promoters to organize the match.
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He wrote on his Instagram story: “Great fight guys, can’t wait for this fight,” followed by a series of popcorn emoji.
Fury, who is set to fight Dillian White next, is keeping a close eye on the proceedings around Usyk following his stunning win over Anthony Joshua last year.
This saw him claim AJ’s WBA, WBO and IBF belts and put an end to any hope of a bumper Fury vs Joshua British showdown.
And if Usyk defeats Joshua in April, with another fight for the UK, it could finally give Fury a chance to unify the heavyweight division.
However, the Ukrainian will need to face its inevitable challengers at some point.
And that’s why Fury highlights the potential turmoil between Hergovic and Yoka—one that will keep the two dangerous heavyweights out of their way for a while.
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The 29-year-old Hergovic is ranked as the No. 2 IBF heavyweight behind Charles Martin and has a 14-0 pro boxing record.
But Martin lost on New Year’s Day to Luis Ortiz, who in turn injured his arm, while Joseph Parker is believed to have foiled the fight with Hergovic because he did not pay enough.
Joshua is number four on the IBF list, but he won’t have to go through the eliminator to get his revenge.
So next on the list is Yoka.
Hergovic’s promoters insist they have made contact with the artist nicknamed 11-0 – but have received nothing back.
Nisse Sauerland, representing El Animal, told Sky Sports. “Still nothing. Didn’t hear anything.”
Hergovic repeated to Yoka: “Sign the contract, fight. Now you have your chance. What are you going to do?”
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Frenchman Yoka, 29, was due to face Martin Bakole this month, but that fight has been delayed due to Covid and could be rearranged for March.
To complicate matters further, the IBF has told Hergovic and Yoka that they have until 10 p.m. on Thursday to strike a deal.
Yoka defeated Croatian Hergovic at the 2016 Rio Olympics and defeated Joe Joyce to win the gold medal while Hergovic won the bronze medal.
Should the pair fail to settle a professional rematch, Joyce will be next on the list, but as No. 1 for the WBO, is likely to go down that route.
And it will put Agit Kabayal next in line for Hergovic, who is desperate to solve an eliminator and give him a chance at a world title.
