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.”
