“Big-time fights Turki Alalshikh tells me are on his wishlist to make,” Coppinger posted on X before including “Filip Hrgovic–Rico Verhoeven” among fights such as Fury–Joshua and Benavidez–Opetaia.
If Turki shows enough interest, his financial resources and promotional reach could easily turn the idea into an IBF heavyweight title bout.
Hrgovic signed a multi‑fight deal with Queensberry prior to stopping Moses Itauma in the ninth round last month. Frank Warren’s outfit routinely collaborates with Turki, eliminating a common promotional hurdle.
Sanchez still holds contractual and sanctioning‑body rights. Hrgovic cannot bypass him and defend against Verhoeven without IBF approval. Turki could offer Sanchez a substantial step‑aside payment, slot him on the same event, and guarantee him a rematch with the winner.
Would Sanchez turn down such an offer? The 34‑year‑old Cuban is not a major draw, and a mandatory clash with Hrgovic would unlikely generate revenue comparable to a Turki‑backed fight. Accepting a step‑aside payout might prove more lucrative than stepping into the ring immediately.
Verhoeven does not have an exclusive promotional tie with Turki. The former GLORY heavyweight champion shifted from kickboxing to boxing after declining a UFC approach. Turki funded his chance against Oleksandr Usyk, where Verhoeven survived until the eleventh round in only his second pro boxing appearance.
That performance earned Verhoeven credibility despite the loss. He is well known across Europe, physically imposing and far more marketable than Sanchez. Hrgovic also gained added value by derailing the Itauma coronation that British boxing had anticipated.
None of this indicates that Hrgovic–Verhoeven is currently under negotiation. It remains merely one entry on Turki’s costly wish list. Sanchez is not an immovable obstacle; should Turki truly desire the matchup, he can make waiting more appealing than objecting.
The drawback of awarding Verhoeven a title shot after a defeat is clear. Granting him an immediate IBF opportunity right after his stoppage by Usyk undermines sanctioning‑body integrity and risks alienating dedicated fans for two main reasons.
First, the competitive credibility is absent. When Francis Ngannou knocked down Tyson Fury, it sparked genuine boxing intrigue. Verhoeven did not produce a similar shockwave versus Usyk; he displayed toughness by lasting into the eleventh round but was still stopped. Rewarding a fighter coming off a knockout loss with another world title bout amounts to pure promotional indulgence.
Second, Hrgovic just achieved his career‑defining victory over Moses Itauma, finally capturing a world title after years of waiting in the sanctioning‑body queues. Matching him now against an unranked crossover opponent diminishes the significance of the belt he just won. Fans expect to see Hrgovic defend against legitimate contenders who earned their positions, not watch an exhibition‑style spectacle.
Frank Sanchez may not be a pay‑per‑view star, but a mandatory defense against him represents genuine boxing business. Hrgovic versus Verhoeven is essentially a crossover showcase aimed at casual viewers, and the traditional boxing audience would likely view it as nothing more than an expensive gimmick.
