Stjepan Božić suggests Wembley rematch after Filip Hrgović’s title win

Stjepan Božić has floated the idea of filling Wembley Stadium for a rematch involving Filip Hrgović, shortly after the Croatian boxer captured the IBF heavyweight world title.

Hrgović defeated Britain’s Moses Itauma at London’s O2 Arena in a dramatic turnaround. He trailed on the scorecards through the end of the eighth round, but Itauma faded and Hrgović stopped him with a series of powerful punches in the ninth.

Božić argued that a rematch would draw interest because questions remained from an earlier contest, which a doctor stopped because of cuts around the eyebrow. He said Hrgović had been leading on every judge’s scorecard before the stoppage and had entered the fight at only 35 to 40 percent after spending four days in bed with a temperature of 39 degrees Celsius.

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Now would be the ideal time to fill Wembley. Have a rematch, because a lot of questions remain.

“Now would be the ideal time to fill Wembley. Have a rematch, because a lot of questions remain,” Božić wrote on social media. He added that both fighters had belts and that the bout could provide an opportunity to unify the titles, while stressing that Hrgović first needed to rest his body, head and mind.

Hrgović is likely to defend the title against Cuba’s Frank Sanchez, although he also wants to win belts held by Daniel Dubois and Agit Kabayel. Kabayel responded to Hrgović’s challenge by saying he was ready to face anyone. “We can fight later this year. Why not? That is my next mission. I want all the belts,” the German boxer of Kurdish origin said. “Either this year or next year. I am ready for anyone. Let’s do it.”

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We can fight later this year. Why not? That is my next mission. I want all the belts. Either this year or next year. I am ready for anyone. Let’s do it.