Fabio Wardley should retire, says Filip Hrgovic, who vows to smash Daniel Dubois

Filip Hrgovic believes Fabio Wardley should walk away after two straight defeats by Daniel Dubois. The Croatian is set to face his mandatory, Frank Sanchez, in a homecoming bout in early 2027, according to his manager Keith Connolly.

Filip Hrgovic has urged Fabio Wardley to retire after the former WBO champion lost his rematch with Daniel Dubois, his second consecutive defeat.

Wardley said in the immediate aftermath of the loss that he would rebuild and come back. Hrgovic, who was beaten by Londoner Dubois in 2024, thinks he should stop instead, and also wants a second fight with Dubois himself.

Hrgovic told Boxing News: “I think [Wardley] should retire.” He said Wardley had not looked good in the rematch and believed he was still damaged from their first meeting. Hrgovic added: “He didn’t look good from the first bell. I wasn’t impressed with him.” Hrgovic said Wardley had made a lot of money and achieved a miracle by becoming a world champion, and should now retire and enjoy life. Wardley came to professional boxing from a white-collar background with no amateur experience before winning the WBO title.

Hrgovic, who calls himself the future undisputed champion, is confident he can reverse his own defeat by Dubois. He said: “I will smash Dubois in a rematch, and I’m coming for the belts.” Any rematch would have to wait. According to Connolly, Hrgovic will first box his mandatory, Frank Sanchez, in a homecoming bout in early 2027.

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