The more I look at it, the more footage I watch back, I think it’ll be Hrg’s leaky defence that will prove the decisive weakness in this fight, well before Moses’ potential lack of endurance can become a factor.
But… if Hrg can somehow soak it up and still be there.. who knows.
Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
You might be right, but have a look at Moses when he is delivering the coup de grace - wide open because there hasn't been anything coming back at him.Kilburn wrote: ↑25 Aug 2026, 14:44 The more I look at it, the more footage I watch back, I think it’ll be Hrg’s leaky defence that will prove the decisive weakness in this fight, well before Moses’ potential lack of endurance can become a factor.
But… if Hrg can somehow soak it up and still be there.. who knows.
I think it goes both ways and hopefully something team Itauma has been working on.
Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Yes it’s more than possible that despite all the apparent natural ability, when put under real pressure Moses is unable to adjust sufficiently.
But for this fight I’m struggling to see past Itauma’s obvious speed advantage, and the fact that Hrg doesn’t just leave himself open to one shot, he can get clipped with bunches.
But for this fight I’m struggling to see past Itauma’s obvious speed advantage, and the fact that Hrg doesn’t just leave himself open to one shot, he can get clipped with bunches.
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Hrgovic looks to be in a lot better shape than he did prior to Dubois, when he looked a little podgy.
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Moses Itauma objects to 'golden child' label ahead of Filip Hrgovic test
While the early part of Moses Itauma’s preparation for Filip Hrgovic took place in Marbella, he has subsequently locked in on becoming Britain’s youngest heavyweight champion at home.
When the 21-year-old was first paired with the big Croat, it was not for a title.
Then Frank Sanchez and Itauma was ordered by the IBF, and Sanchez stepped aside to allow the O2 Arena showpiece to take place this Saturday on the condition that he faces the winner.
And even before the stakes were raised, Hrgovic had been sniping at the young contender, implying that Itauma’s path had been considerably easier to the top than his own, and that Itauma had enjoyed the golden child treatment.
“I don’t get treated the way I am for no reason,” responded Itauma. “There’s obviously something about me that Queensberry push. And it’s not what I have done, but what I could do. And I feel like with every fight I have, I’m proving to them that I can do, I am capable of what they think I’m capable of.”
The 34-year-old, with all of his veteran bluster, has called himself a significant step up from the likes of a shopworn Dillian Whyte and fringe US contender Jermaine Franklin, and he’d be right.
Itauma appreciates that fact, too.
“Of course, it is a step up. A big step up. Yeah, Hrgovioc is my toughest opponent. I’m not shying away from that,” Itauma added.
“Have I been treated like a golden child? I wouldn’t say so, because it’s not for no reason.
“I’ve knocked everyone out in the first or second round. Jermaine Franklin has never, ever, ever touched the canvas and just come off a victory over Ivan Dychko.
“I’ve splattered him in five rounds, you know what I mean? When you say golden child, it makes it seem like it’s a privilege. I wouldn’t say that I’ve been privileged in boxing.”
Hrgovic inferred that Itauma’s success has been served up to him on a plate, while Hrgovic has fought on the road, he’s fought in the World Series of Boxing, and he was a top international amateur who medalled at the 2016 Olympics.
“I’m not going to argue my point because I know, but come on,” Itauma continued. “Did they put Dillian Whyte on a plate for me? No, I had to do a whole training camp. I don’t mind you guys saying this because you guys don’t know, but he’s a fighter himself. It’s just disappointing that he’s saying this because going through a camp, spending the money you’ve got to spend, and then not only that, all the stuff that’s actually inside the boxing ring, the things that you have to take care of, and then he’s saying this. It just shows his character, doesn’t it?”
Because while the stories of Itauma handling world champions in the gym when he was just 16 spread far and they were spread fast. The tales of him practising combinations for hours in empty gyms, of having to face down champions while still a boy, have received far less play.
“One hundred per cent,” he agreed. “I’m not saying one story is better than the other, but you think, obviously, Hrgovic is already far into his career. I’m still at the beginning. Hrgovic has done it. I just think we’ve lived different lives and I can appreciate his story.”
And while Hrgovic’s road has been tough – as are those for all boxers, really – Itauma also believes the 20-1 (15 KOs) Hrgovic’s Olympic bronze earned him privileges in the pros.
“He's had a tough route, but he ain't started from scratch,” Itauma explained.
“He also had an Olympic medal, which obviously, they don’t just hand them out. With that Olympic medal, there came already a bit of a head start. Whereas there are certain guys that would have had to start from scratch… Small hall shows, probably even unlicensed and XYZ. Filip Hrgovic still started with a head start because of an Olympic medal, which he did achieve, which he did earn. But I wouldn’t say that he has had the toughest route to where he's got to. I think he was very fortunate to get the decision of Zhilei Zhang. Had he not got that decision, would he have got all the fights that he’s had now? Do you know what I mean?”
But Itauma is not trying to race to the bottom and diminish Hrgovic’s stature or achievements. On the contrary, asked about his opponents’ resume the last four years, Itauma said: “I think he’s got one of the best resumes in heavyweight boxing currently. If you're talking about heavyweights, if you're talking about beating David Adeleye, he did get the decision over Zhang, beat Joe Joyce, beat Dave Allen. He had a very good fight with the world champion [Daniel Dubois], and I had him up on the cards before he got stopped.
“He didn’t get stopped because of anything he had control over. It was a cut. I think he’s probably got one of the best resumes in boxing now.”
While the early part of Moses Itauma’s preparation for Filip Hrgovic took place in Marbella, he has subsequently locked in on becoming Britain’s youngest heavyweight champion at home.
When the 21-year-old was first paired with the big Croat, it was not for a title.
Then Frank Sanchez and Itauma was ordered by the IBF, and Sanchez stepped aside to allow the O2 Arena showpiece to take place this Saturday on the condition that he faces the winner.
And even before the stakes were raised, Hrgovic had been sniping at the young contender, implying that Itauma’s path had been considerably easier to the top than his own, and that Itauma had enjoyed the golden child treatment.
“I don’t get treated the way I am for no reason,” responded Itauma. “There’s obviously something about me that Queensberry push. And it’s not what I have done, but what I could do. And I feel like with every fight I have, I’m proving to them that I can do, I am capable of what they think I’m capable of.”
The 34-year-old, with all of his veteran bluster, has called himself a significant step up from the likes of a shopworn Dillian Whyte and fringe US contender Jermaine Franklin, and he’d be right.
Itauma appreciates that fact, too.
“Of course, it is a step up. A big step up. Yeah, Hrgovioc is my toughest opponent. I’m not shying away from that,” Itauma added.
“Have I been treated like a golden child? I wouldn’t say so, because it’s not for no reason.
“I’ve knocked everyone out in the first or second round. Jermaine Franklin has never, ever, ever touched the canvas and just come off a victory over Ivan Dychko.
“I’ve splattered him in five rounds, you know what I mean? When you say golden child, it makes it seem like it’s a privilege. I wouldn’t say that I’ve been privileged in boxing.”
Hrgovic inferred that Itauma’s success has been served up to him on a plate, while Hrgovic has fought on the road, he’s fought in the World Series of Boxing, and he was a top international amateur who medalled at the 2016 Olympics.
“I’m not going to argue my point because I know, but come on,” Itauma continued. “Did they put Dillian Whyte on a plate for me? No, I had to do a whole training camp. I don’t mind you guys saying this because you guys don’t know, but he’s a fighter himself. It’s just disappointing that he’s saying this because going through a camp, spending the money you’ve got to spend, and then not only that, all the stuff that’s actually inside the boxing ring, the things that you have to take care of, and then he’s saying this. It just shows his character, doesn’t it?”
Because while the stories of Itauma handling world champions in the gym when he was just 16 spread far and they were spread fast. The tales of him practising combinations for hours in empty gyms, of having to face down champions while still a boy, have received far less play.
“One hundred per cent,” he agreed. “I’m not saying one story is better than the other, but you think, obviously, Hrgovic is already far into his career. I’m still at the beginning. Hrgovic has done it. I just think we’ve lived different lives and I can appreciate his story.”
And while Hrgovic’s road has been tough – as are those for all boxers, really – Itauma also believes the 20-1 (15 KOs) Hrgovic’s Olympic bronze earned him privileges in the pros.
“He's had a tough route, but he ain't started from scratch,” Itauma explained.
“He also had an Olympic medal, which obviously, they don’t just hand them out. With that Olympic medal, there came already a bit of a head start. Whereas there are certain guys that would have had to start from scratch… Small hall shows, probably even unlicensed and XYZ. Filip Hrgovic still started with a head start because of an Olympic medal, which he did achieve, which he did earn. But I wouldn’t say that he has had the toughest route to where he's got to. I think he was very fortunate to get the decision of Zhilei Zhang. Had he not got that decision, would he have got all the fights that he’s had now? Do you know what I mean?”
But Itauma is not trying to race to the bottom and diminish Hrgovic’s stature or achievements. On the contrary, asked about his opponents’ resume the last four years, Itauma said: “I think he’s got one of the best resumes in heavyweight boxing currently. If you're talking about heavyweights, if you're talking about beating David Adeleye, he did get the decision over Zhang, beat Joe Joyce, beat Dave Allen. He had a very good fight with the world champion [Daniel Dubois], and I had him up on the cards before he got stopped.
“He didn’t get stopped because of anything he had control over. It was a cut. I think he’s probably got one of the best resumes in boxing now.”
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Hrgovic Claims Winning IBF Title Would Ruin ‘Delusional’ Itauma
Winning the IBF heavyweight title Saturday night will ruin “delusional” Moses Itauma and steal his soul, according to Filip Hrgovic.
The pair will fight for the vacant belt at London’s O2 Arena after a tetchy buildup. And now Hrgovic (20-1, 15 KOs), The Ring’s No. 5-rated heavyweight, has cranked up his war of words with Itauma, who sits one place below him at No. 6.
“I think for him, it would be best for him to lose this fight because it can ruin him, to win a world title so young,” Hrgovic told reporters during a media roundtable session Tuesday. “His head is already in the clouds; he’s already delusional, and I think it can ruin someone who’s not ready for that kind of fame, that kind of money. It can ruin your soul, it can make you lose yourself.”
Itauma, a Slovakia-born Englishman, would become the second-youngest heavyweight champion with a victory over Hrgovic in a 12-round main event DAZN will offer internationally on pay-per-view and to subscribers of its Ultimate plan. The Croatian is adamant such a moment would have a catastrophic effect on his life.
Itauma, aged 21 years and seven months, would be second only to Mike Tyson, who claimed the WBC title at 20 years and four months when he knocked out Trevor Berbick in November 1986. Tyson infamously struggled with the trappings of fame thereafter.
“We have seen a lot of superstars, a lot of famous people lose themselves,” Hrgovic continued. “They just get lost in that world of fame and money. I don’t think he’s ready for that. For him, it would be best for him to lose this fight, man, to save his soul.
“What does it mean to achieve everything if you lose your soul and lose yourself? I think I’m in a much different position because of the experiences I went through, the ups and downs in my life, I’m in a different position. I think I’m like a rock, stable, and nothing can move me. I don’t care about fame, money or what people think. But we will see on Saturday.”
Hrgovic, 34, has been priced as wide as a +700 underdog with some bookmakers. The younger prodigy will arrive at O2 Arena on a 10-fight knockout hot streak, with all but one of those coming inside the first two rounds.
But Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs), who stopped durable Jermaine Franklin inside five rounds in his last fight, is yet to face anyone of Hrgovic’s caliber.
“He doesn’t really know what’s coming to him,” Hrgovic said. “I noticed that when I saw him last time. I saw that kid. It’s no offense to him, but I just saw that kid, that young man inside of him. But we were all stupid when we were young.”
Hrgovic has only 21 professional fights during his nine-year career, but the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist has said he had over 100 amateur bouts. Itauma’s amateur career was limited to 24 bouts, though he never lost.
“You just can’t buy experience,” Hrgovic said. “I’m not just talking about boxing, but I saw that kid in his eyes, in his behavior, and in his attitude. We’ve all been like that, but I just don’t think he’s aware of a lot of things, he’s not been through a lot of things. He’s just young. I don’t know if he has respect for me. I think it’s to my advantage, but maybe it doesn’t need to be a factor in the fight.
“I just think he’s a kid, he’s inexperienced and he’s just a young man. He’s a kid and everything has gone well – he hasn’t had any hard times. He went from youth level to professional and everyone is patting him on the back telling him he’s the best, he’s the next Muhammad Ali or Mike Tyson. He’s just not in reality. That’s what I see when I look at him.”
Winning the IBF heavyweight title Saturday night will ruin “delusional” Moses Itauma and steal his soul, according to Filip Hrgovic.
The pair will fight for the vacant belt at London’s O2 Arena after a tetchy buildup. And now Hrgovic (20-1, 15 KOs), The Ring’s No. 5-rated heavyweight, has cranked up his war of words with Itauma, who sits one place below him at No. 6.
“I think for him, it would be best for him to lose this fight because it can ruin him, to win a world title so young,” Hrgovic told reporters during a media roundtable session Tuesday. “His head is already in the clouds; he’s already delusional, and I think it can ruin someone who’s not ready for that kind of fame, that kind of money. It can ruin your soul, it can make you lose yourself.”
Itauma, a Slovakia-born Englishman, would become the second-youngest heavyweight champion with a victory over Hrgovic in a 12-round main event DAZN will offer internationally on pay-per-view and to subscribers of its Ultimate plan. The Croatian is adamant such a moment would have a catastrophic effect on his life.
Itauma, aged 21 years and seven months, would be second only to Mike Tyson, who claimed the WBC title at 20 years and four months when he knocked out Trevor Berbick in November 1986. Tyson infamously struggled with the trappings of fame thereafter.
“We have seen a lot of superstars, a lot of famous people lose themselves,” Hrgovic continued. “They just get lost in that world of fame and money. I don’t think he’s ready for that. For him, it would be best for him to lose this fight, man, to save his soul.
“What does it mean to achieve everything if you lose your soul and lose yourself? I think I’m in a much different position because of the experiences I went through, the ups and downs in my life, I’m in a different position. I think I’m like a rock, stable, and nothing can move me. I don’t care about fame, money or what people think. But we will see on Saturday.”
Hrgovic, 34, has been priced as wide as a +700 underdog with some bookmakers. The younger prodigy will arrive at O2 Arena on a 10-fight knockout hot streak, with all but one of those coming inside the first two rounds.
But Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs), who stopped durable Jermaine Franklin inside five rounds in his last fight, is yet to face anyone of Hrgovic’s caliber.
“He doesn’t really know what’s coming to him,” Hrgovic said. “I noticed that when I saw him last time. I saw that kid. It’s no offense to him, but I just saw that kid, that young man inside of him. But we were all stupid when we were young.”
Hrgovic has only 21 professional fights during his nine-year career, but the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist has said he had over 100 amateur bouts. Itauma’s amateur career was limited to 24 bouts, though he never lost.
“You just can’t buy experience,” Hrgovic said. “I’m not just talking about boxing, but I saw that kid in his eyes, in his behavior, and in his attitude. We’ve all been like that, but I just don’t think he’s aware of a lot of things, he’s not been through a lot of things. He’s just young. I don’t know if he has respect for me. I think it’s to my advantage, but maybe it doesn’t need to be a factor in the fight.
“I just think he’s a kid, he’s inexperienced and he’s just a young man. He’s a kid and everything has gone well – he hasn’t had any hard times. He went from youth level to professional and everyone is patting him on the back telling him he’s the best, he’s the next Muhammad Ali or Mike Tyson. He’s just not in reality. That’s what I see when I look at him.”
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
If you exclude Rademacher, who had zero fights, I think Itauma could be tied with Leon Spinks for the least rounds boxed (31) before fighting for a major belt at HW. AJ just behind with (32) pre Charles Martin.
Most seem to have anywhere from 50 to well over 100 rounds fought. Obviously people like Fury, whose first title fight was vs the unified champ, might be expected to have more rounds anyway.
There are probably others I have't thought of, and I only looked at people who actually won the title.
Most seem to have anywhere from 50 to well over 100 rounds fought. Obviously people like Fury, whose first title fight was vs the unified champ, might be expected to have more rounds anyway.
There are probably others I have't thought of, and I only looked at people who actually won the title.
Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
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keithmoonhangover
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
If his cuts stand up, I think Hrgovic will win it.
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jameswilson
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Who wins the jab exchanges will be key.
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
You too homie.
Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Damn, well at least Sherif Musah has gone 10 rounds before and is coming off a win. We’ve seen worse replacements.
Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
cuts will be perfect reason to stop it, even if he's winning
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
I might be team Hrg
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Lot of scope for Hrg to be jolted early on and have a wobble, at which point the ref will jump in and wave it off and we'll never find out if he could've forced his way back into the fight and turned the tables.
There's a vid on YouTube, Moses' last 10 fights in full, and it's so different to the Tyson/Bruno/Mason days when they amassed a string of highlight reel KOs splattering blokes. Now the house ref just stops it as early as possible. Very unsatisfying KOs.
There's a vid on YouTube, Moses' last 10 fights in full, and it's so different to the Tyson/Bruno/Mason days when they amassed a string of highlight reel KOs splattering blokes. Now the house ref just stops it as early as possible. Very unsatisfying KOs.
Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Top Rank did the same with Jarred Anderson. Then he ran into Bakole. Sadly, like many, I suspect Hrgovic will have two opponents in the Ring on Saturday.
Which really should not be the case in a world title fight for a vacant belt. Let's see if the IBF want a fair result.
We will know more when the referee and judges are announced
Which really should not be the case in a world title fight for a vacant belt. Let's see if the IBF want a fair result.
We will know more when the referee and judges are announced
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Finkel wrote: ↑26 Aug 2026, 18:38 Top Rank did the same with Jarred Anderson. Then he ran into Bakole. Sadly, like many, I suspect Hrgovic will have two opponents in the Ring on Saturday.
Which really should not be the case in a world title fight for a vacant belt. Let's see if the IBF want a fair result.
We will know more when the referee and judges are announced
It may be some neutral judges but I’d be very surprised if we didn’t have a British ref. I’ll be glad to be proved wrong tho.
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
‘I’m going to throw him out of the ring’: Filip Hrgovic send ominous warning to Moses Itauma
Filip Hrgovic believes his maturity as a man and fighter set him apart from Moses Itauma.
As Filip Hrgovic nears his Aug. 29 title fight against Moses Itauma he sits down with DAZN to talk a bit about the fight, the matchup, and the difference in personas between the two, and his expectations for himself in the fight. Check out some excerpts of what he had to say below.
Hrgovic on being the betting underdog in this fight against Itauma
“I don’t care. Opinions is like, everyone has it…I don’t care what everyone thinks. It doesn’t matter…It’s just important what I think. I think I’m going to throw him out of the ring.”
On how he’s feeling heading into this fight
“I feel great. I feel great camp and I feel great.”
On whether Itauma can still have a good career if he loses this fight
“I think the best for him would be if he lose this fight. That would be the best for him as a fighter and as a person because he’s young, and if he wins titles so young he’s going to ruin his life and his soul and he wouldn’t be able to handle that pressure. I’m different kind of animal and I’m 35. I’ve been through life, through a lot of things in my life so I can handle it much better. And for him to be world champion at 21, it’ll be too much for him.
“It’s best for him to lose this fight and to build his career again step by step…The most important in life is to save your soul. If you don’t save your soul, nothing else matters.”
On believing Itauma to be arrogant
“I think he’s just immature. He’s just a kid, man. It’s not a offense, it’s just a reality. When I see him, I see a kid, someone who’s just young. We all have been young and stupid and when you get old you change your opinion, you change your attitude…I see a kid, that’s it. So, it’s not his fault.”
On Itauma’s best chance being to get him out early
“He’s like dangerous in early rounds, I’m more dangerous in late rounds — on paper it’s like this. But in the fight anything can happen. I can take him out in first round or he can take me out in round 12, so you never know how the fight going to be. So we will see.”
Filip Hrgovic believes his maturity as a man and fighter set him apart from Moses Itauma.
As Filip Hrgovic nears his Aug. 29 title fight against Moses Itauma he sits down with DAZN to talk a bit about the fight, the matchup, and the difference in personas between the two, and his expectations for himself in the fight. Check out some excerpts of what he had to say below.
Hrgovic on being the betting underdog in this fight against Itauma
“I don’t care. Opinions is like, everyone has it…I don’t care what everyone thinks. It doesn’t matter…It’s just important what I think. I think I’m going to throw him out of the ring.”
On how he’s feeling heading into this fight
“I feel great. I feel great camp and I feel great.”
On whether Itauma can still have a good career if he loses this fight
“I think the best for him would be if he lose this fight. That would be the best for him as a fighter and as a person because he’s young, and if he wins titles so young he’s going to ruin his life and his soul and he wouldn’t be able to handle that pressure. I’m different kind of animal and I’m 35. I’ve been through life, through a lot of things in my life so I can handle it much better. And for him to be world champion at 21, it’ll be too much for him.
“It’s best for him to lose this fight and to build his career again step by step…The most important in life is to save your soul. If you don’t save your soul, nothing else matters.”
On believing Itauma to be arrogant
“I think he’s just immature. He’s just a kid, man. It’s not a offense, it’s just a reality. When I see him, I see a kid, someone who’s just young. We all have been young and stupid and when you get old you change your opinion, you change your attitude…I see a kid, that’s it. So, it’s not his fault.”
On Itauma’s best chance being to get him out early
“He’s like dangerous in early rounds, I’m more dangerous in late rounds — on paper it’s like this. But in the fight anything can happen. I can take him out in first round or he can take me out in round 12, so you never know how the fight going to be. So we will see.”