The WBA is set to sanction Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua as a fight for its “super” heavyweight title, despite having Murat Gassiev as its sitting titleholder. Hrgovic, who stopped heavily favored Moses Itauma to win the then-vacant IBF heavyweight title August 29 at O2 Arena in London, didn’t take kindly to the WBA’s decision.

“That's funny, man. It’s a bulls*** decision,” Hrgovic told “The Stomping Ground” during an interview posted recently to its YouTube channel. “I don’t know where and how they found a belt for that kind of fight. Who did they fight in their last fights? They are both big superstars, but how are they fighting for a title? Where did that come from? It’s not good for the sport. Because of these funny decisions, people don’t consider boxing a serious sport.”

Fury (36-2-1, 25 KOs) and Joshua (30-4, 27 KOs) are former heavyweight champions whose title reigns ended years ago: Fury in 2024 after losing to Oleksandr Usyk, and Joshua in 2021 with a loss to Usyk as well. They’ll still square off for a title when they finally fight December 11 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

Fury is currently ranked No. 2 by the WBA and Joshua is rated third. Jarell Miller is the mandatory challenger for Gassiev and sits in the No. 1 slot.

Usyk remains The Ring champion after vacating his IBF, WBA and WBC titles in June ahead of his retirement fight against an opponent to be determined. Agit Kabayel is the WBC champion, while Daniel Dubois is the WBO titleholder.

Croatia’s Hrgovic (21-1, 16 KOs), rated No. 4 in the division by The Ring, naturally believes he is the world's best heavyweight.

“I think I beat the best guy in the division, and think I’m the best champion,” Hrgovic said. “I want to be considered the best heavyweight in the world at this moment.”

Despite having a mandatory challenger waiting in Frank Sanchez, Hrgovic prefers to prove his staying power by pursuing a rematch against Dubois if Dubois beats Fabio Wardley in their rematch October 17 at O2 Arena in London. Hrgovic suffered the lone loss of his career against Dubois in June 2024, an eighth-round, technical-knockout.

“The Dubois rematch would be the best fight for me to get my revenge and to get a unification fight,” Hrgovic said, “but we’ll see.”

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan.