Hrgovic and Radonjic set to face off on Sept. 10

Unbeaten heavyweight contenders Filip Hrgović and Marko Radonjic will face each other for the chance to boost their world title hopes at the Wörthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt, Austria, on Sept. 10.

Hrgovic (12-0, 10 KOs), 29, from Zagreb, Croatia is No 4 in the IBF rankings and will be making a first defence of the governing body’s fringe ‘international’ belt against Radonjic (22-0, 22 KOs), 31, who is from Montenegro but based in Germany.

Hrgovic, a bronze medallist at the 2016 Olympics, stopped American Rydell Booker in Florida last November and is closing in on a shot at one of the world titles, which are held by rival English heavyweights Anthony Joshua (WBA, IBF, WBO) and Tyson Fury (WBC).

“I have a lot of respect for Radonjic for taking this fight when many wouldn’t,” Hrgovic said. “I’m excited to box at the Wörthersee Stadium. Radonjic has a good record, he has won all his fights by knockout, but he has never fought anyone like me.”

Victory would edge the winner closer to a shot at the IBF world heavyweight title in 2022.

Eddie Hearn, of promoter Matchroom, said: “Filip Hrgovic is one of the most avoided men in the heavyweight division and finding an opponent with the courage to step in the ring with him has been a challenge. Virtually the whole of the IBF top 15 turned down the opportunity to face him in a final eliminator.”

Joshua defends his belts against Ukrainian Oleskandr Usyk on Sep. 25, while Fury faces American Wilder in a third encounter on Oct. 9.