Filip Hrgovic has taunted Moses Itauma ahead of their world heavyweight title clash on Saturday, repeatedly calling the 21-year-old a "kid" and threatening to send him "back to high school".
"I will smash the kid, man," Hrgovic said at Thursday's press conference, after earlier telling reporters: "I just saw that kid, that young man inside of him. But we were all stupid when we were young."
The Croatian's jibes come as Itauma bids to become the second-youngest world heavyweight champion ever, after Mike Tyson 40 years ago. The vacant IBF title is on the line at London's O2 Arena.
Itauma, who has 14 wins and 12 knockouts, appeared stoic and unfazed by the taunts. Hrgovic, 34, claimed he was not trying to play mind games, saying: "I'm not so smart."
Hrgovic's last four fights came against British opponents, with the sole defeat a cut-induced stoppage by Daniel Dubois in 2024. He has since earned points wins over Joe Joyce and David Adeleye, and a TKO of Dave Allen in May.