Brits will be left wondering if Moses Itauma's rapid rise to boxing stardom has been a well-rehearsed script or an authentic Cinderella story after he came under fire from his opponent Filip Hrgovic in a fiery London press conference. The 21-year-old heavyweight, touted as the future of the division, will face off against the experienced Croatian in what promises to be the toughest test of his career.
Hrgovic, a 2016 Olympic bronze medallist, made it clear he's not buying into Itauma's meteoric rise, suggesting that he's had an easy ride compared to his own journey. 'He was given everything on the plate when I compare my path with mine and other guys who are coming from small countries,' Hrgovic declared, leaving no doubt about his views.
But Itauma remained unflappable, countering that he's worked hard to reach the top table. 'At the end of the day, the position I'm in wasn't handed to me on a silver platter – I still had to beat and overcome challenges,' he insisted, showing no signs of taking the criticism to heart.
The stakes are high for both men: a win for Itauma could set up an all-British showdown against Daniel Dubois for the world title, while Hrgovic is banking on his experience to knock his opponent off track. But the burning question remains – do these two heavyweights respect each other's skills and determination?