Moses Itauma, a 21-year-old from Chatham, is set to face Filip Hrgovic, a 34-year-old Croatian, for the vacant IBF heavyweight title at London’s O2 Arena. Itauma has won all 14 of his professional fights, with 12 victories by stoppage, establishing himself as a notable prospect in the division. A win for Itauma would make him the youngest heavyweight world champion since Mike Tyson in 1986.
Hrgovic, a 2016 Olympic bronze medallist, brings a record of 20 wins and one defeat, with 15 of his victories coming inside the distance. This fight is seen as a significant step up for Itauma.
Fighter and Pundit Predictions
Several figures from the boxing world have offered their predictions for the bout. Former featherweight world champion Prince Naseem Hamed believes the fight will not be a significant test for Itauma, predicting an Itauma victory. Similarly, former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton favours Itauma, suggesting he could either secure an early stoppage or win later in the fight due to Hrgovic’s susceptibility to cuts.
Tony Bellew, a former cruiserweight world champion, described the fight as a crucial test for Itauma, predicting either an early finish within three rounds or a more challenging, prolonged contest. Bellew highlighted Itauma’s comprehensive skill set, including footwork, speed, and power. Former lightweight world champion Anthony Crolla also backed Itauma, forecasting a stoppage in the sixth or seventh round.
British heavyweight Jeamie TKV expects Itauma to win, acknowledging that Hrgovic will be well-prepared and determined. Former world-title challenger Paul Smith anticipates an Itauma stoppage in the mid to late rounds, citing Hrgovic’s tendency to cut. DAZN commentator Adam Smith noted the potential for “fireworks” and leaned towards Itauma due to his southpaw speed, skill, and ring IQ.
Boxing trainer Dave Coldwell believes it is Itauma’s moment, predicting a stoppage within four or five rounds, or later on cuts, due to Itauma’s sharp punches and accuracy against Hrgovic’s somewhat cumbersome style. DAZN presenter Ade Oladipo, while acknowledging the tightening of opinions as the fight approaches, still expects Itauma to win by stoppage between rounds six and eight, possibly on cuts, but not without facing some initial trouble.
Former super-featherweight world champion Barry Jones views the fight as a test for Itauma on paper, given Hrgovic’s strength and experience. However, Jones expressed strong belief in Itauma’s speed, agility, and thought process, predicting an impressive performance and a win within six rounds.
Contrasting Personalities and Fame
The lead-up to the fight has highlighted a contrast between the two heavyweights. Itauma has been described as thoughtful, while Hrgovic has shown a more jovial side, even singing for boxing writers. Hrgovic attempted to unsettle Itauma by suggesting that celebrity and wealth could be detrimental to a young champion.
Itauma acknowledged the potential challenges of fame at a young age, stating his desire to emulate Mike Tyson’s early career success without repeating his later struggles. He reflected on the pressures of being in the public eye and the need for mental toughness to cope with recognition and interactions.
The Kent-born fighter, who is of Slovakian and Nigerian descent, expressed that he sometimes feels his life is “fake” due to the unexpected path he has taken, having initially been encouraged by his parents towards academic careers. He mentioned learning French, his third language after Slovakian and English, and reading as ways to stay mentally stimulated.
Despite admitting that a victory might be challenging for his “soul,” Itauma emphasized his strong ego and determination not to be defeated. He has fought 31 rounds in his professional career. Hrgovic, who has been a professional for some time, has experienced adversity in and out of the ring and has one professional loss. The expectation is that Itauma’s speed, movement, and power will be decisive against Hrgovic.
The fight is scheduled for Saturday night at the O2 Arena.
Source: bbc.co.uk