Hrgovic claimed the vacant IBF title with a ninth-round TKO over Moses Itauma in London on August 29, becoming the first-ever Croatian world heavyweight champion.

Now his promoter, Frank Warren, has confirmed that Queensberry Promotions is working hard to ensure Hrgovic defends the belt for the first time on Croatian soil.

“I’m quietly confident it will happen,” Warren said. “We like to get things done before we make an announcement, but we’re quietly confident that we’ll deliver. We always deliver.”

Hrgovic (21-1, 16 KOs) hasn't boxed on home soil since 2018, when he won in September and December. Firstly, he stopped Amir Mansour at Arena Zagreb before outpointing Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson over eight rounds three months later at KC Drazen Petrovic.

The 23,000-capacity Arena Zagreb is expected to host Hrgovic’s first defense, which is being discussed for early 2027. Mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez, who stepped aside so Hrgovic and Itauma could fight for the title, will almost certainly be the opponent.

“We're working hard to do that in Croatia, to give him his dream,” Warren said. “He deserves it.

“A world heavyweight title fight in Croatia would be a first, and I'm sure the whole nation would turn out for the hero. So it's good times. We’re going to have the most unbelievable roster of heavyweight fights that lead to somebody holding the four belts.” 

Hrgovic’s Croatian homecoming will come only a few months after Agit Kabayel’s WBC world title defense against Nelson Hysa at ESPRIT Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany. The Queensberry-promoted show is expected to draw a sell-out crowd of more than 50,000.

“These are fabulous times, and Queensberry is just flying,” Warren added. “I can't think of any fighter who's signed with us who's not had his dream come true and fought in a big arena or in his football stadium.

“Josh Warrington, Carl Frampton, Fabio Wardley in Ipswich, even Ryan Garner down in Southampton. We go and do the business for them; we go and deliver their dreams.

When Hrgovic was asked about a Croatian homecoming during a media roundtable in September, he said: “If it will be the next fight, it will be winter, so a stadium is not an option.

“We only have one venue which is similar to the 02 in terms of capacity. It is in Zagreb. It will be that option in the winter, end of the year or early next year.”