Moses Itauma intends to become Britain's youngest ever world heavyweight champion, even though he accepts Filip Hrgovic's claim that victory could 'ruin his soul'.
The rivals meet at The O2 on Saturday for the IBF title relinquished by Oleksandr Usyk in June. Itauma, a 21-year-old southpaw, is expected to continue his rapid rise in only his 15th professional fight.
Hrgovic, an Olympic bronze medallist in 2016, has been using his experience to unsettle his younger opponent. He has called Itauma 'delusional' and a 'kid', and insists it would be 'best to lose this fight to save his soul' because he is unprepared for the stardom that awaits.
Itauma responded: 'Although Hrgovic is starting to wind me up, that's one thing I hear because I already know how I'm coping with the level of success I've achieved.'
'I've always said I never wanted to be at the level of Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury because I know how annoyed I get trying to be a normal person.'
'I wouldn't say Hrgovic has a point, but if I win this fight it might not be good for my soul. I can hear that. But that's not a reason why I'm just gonna go in there and not win – for the sake of my soul. That's not a good idea.'
Hrgovic's only defeat came via an eighth-round stoppage on cuts by Daniel Dubois in 2024. The 34-year-old believes his experience gives him a key edge.
'When I looked at Itauma I saw a kid in his eyes, in his behaviour, in his attitude,' Hrgovic said. 'He's not aware of a lot of things. He's not been through a lot of things.'
'Winning the world title would ruin him. He's not ready for that. He's already in the clouds, he's already delusional.'
'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 and we've seen a lot of superstars and famous people who have lost themselves. I'm in a much different position because of the experience I have, what I've been through and the ups and downs in my life.'