The gloves are off as heavyweight titans prepare to clash at the O2 Arena on August 29. Croatian sensation Filip Hrgovic has fired a warning shot across the bows of young British prospect Moses Itauma, suggesting the latter's rapid rise to fame is built on a silver platter. In a press conference that was more akin to a boxing ring than a Q&A session, Hrgovic drew a straight line between his own tortuous journey in the sport and what he sees as an easier path for Itauma.
Hrgovic, a seasoned campaigner who earned Olympic bronze in 2016, pulled no punches (pun intended) in comparing his own struggles with those of his younger opponent. "He was given everything on a plate when I compare his path with my path and other guys who are coming from small countries," Hrgovic stated bluntly, painting a stark picture of the challenges he faced as an amateur. He added, "I think my path was much harder, much, much harder. I worked so hard to get into position. I think everything he achieved was given."
Itauma, the 21-year-old Kent-born prodigy with a perfect professional record of 14 wins and 12 stoppage victories, remained unruffled by Hrgovic's pointed remarks. Instead, he chose to see them as fuel for the fire that will drive him towards a potential world-title showdown against Daniel Dubois, Oleksandr Usyk, or Agit Kabayel. "Whether he thinks my path has been easy or not, it won't do him any favours," Itauma retorted confidently. "He's almost 14 years older than me and we're still in the same position. He doesn't know anything about me to comment on that."
The stakes are high for Itauma, who recently dismantled Jermaine Franklin in March. A victory against Hrgovic would be a massive statement of intent, paving the way for a potential all-British showdown with Dubois or a shot at the unified title currently held by Usyk. Itauma acknowledged the calibre of his opponent, stating, "It's my toughest fight. Filip Hrgovic is no mug. He's beaten so many well-known guys, not just in British boxing but boxing in general. He's won an Olympic bronze medal."
Conversely, Hrgovic, who suffered a defeat against Dubois in 2024 and recently stopped Briton Dave Allen in May, expressed some reservations about Itauma's experience in adversity. "I'm a fighter," he said bluntly. "I look at it from a different angle. I've never seen him in trouble. I've never seen him punched, get dropped." The press conference may have been tense, but the face-off between the two fighters concluded with a courteous handshake, setting the stage for an electrifying battle of youth versus experience.
Source: 5 Live Boxing podcast