"I am looking forward to big fights and I am ready for anyone. I know I have the quality and talent to become the best fighter in the world," Hrgović said after his win over German boxer Emir Ahmatovic earlier this month.
While Hrgović has an impressive record, his resume isn't deep. His highest profile win came against two-time world title challenger Eric Molina, who was at his peak in the mid-2010s.
"No one wants to fight Filip," Hrgović's manager Nisse Sauerland said after the win over Ahmatovic.
"Next year someone is going to have to fight him for the mandatory and I believe you are looking at the new world champ. 2022 is going to be Filip Hrgović's year."
It's a fight that makes sense for both men in terms of their standings in the heavyweight division. Parker has been working to get another shot at a world championship belt ever since being relieved of his WBO belt by Anthony Joshua in early 2018, while Hrgović - an Olympic bronze medallist – has been trying to earn his first world title fight.
The world title picture is a murky one, with Oleksandr Usyk holding the IBF, WBO and WBA belts and Tyson Fury with the WBC strap. Usyk, who won the titles from Anthony Joshua earlier in the year, is likely to have a rematch against Joshua next, while Fury is expected to be forced to face WBC mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte.
"The WBC hereby orders the start of the free negotiations period pursuant to the WBC Rules & Regulations for the mandatory bout between WBC World Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury and Mandatory Challenger and WBC Interim World Champion Dillian Whyte," the WBC said in a statement on Twitter earlier this month, following suggestions that Fury and Usyk could meet to crown an undisputed champion.
