Itauma vs Hrgovic preview: Moses Itauma steps up to the world stage for the first time this weekend as he takes on the seasoned Filip Hrgovic. Check out our Itauma vs Hrgovic prediction below.
Itauma and Hrgovic will headline at the O2 Arena on Saturday. The winner looking to claim the IBF heavyweight world title, live on DAZN pay-per-view.
Since turning professional in 2023, the 21-year-old has been hailed as the next big thing, with many industry experts tipping him for greatness.
Speaking recently to TalkBoxing, Billy Joe Saunders claimed Itauma was the ‘best thing since Muhammad Ali.’
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He is only 14 fights into his professional journey, but has significantly stepped up the level of his opposition in his last few bouts.
He announced himself to a wider audience with a devastating stoppage victory over Dempsey McKean — a former opponent of Hrgovic — on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury 2.
Nine months later, he headlined for the first time against former world title challenger Dillian Whyte in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
He blew ‘The Body Snatcher’ away in a couple of minutes. Itauma dropped the 38-year-old and the referee called a halt to the contest.
Last time out, the Chatham fighter took on Jermaine Franklin. He secured a devastating fifth-round stoppage with an uppercut, having already dropped ‘The 989 Assassin’ in the first and third rounds.
Hrgovic’s road to a world title shot
He now faces what should prove to be his toughest test on Saturday in Filip Hrgovic — the man at the centre of this Itauma vs Hrgovic preview. He has lost just once to date.
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As a professional, he was tipped to reach the world stage but has fallen short so far. Saturday will be the first time he challenges for a world title, although he came close against Daniel Dubois two years ago.
The pair clashed on the undercard of Deontay Wilder vs Zhilei Zhang. Hrgovic enjoyed plenty of success as he attempted to become the IBF interim world champion.
However, as cuts opened around the eyes of ‘El Animal’, ‘DDD’ began to turn the tide. The bout was eventually stopped on the doctor’s advice.
Since that defeat, the 35-year-old has beaten three British fighters in succession, securing victories over Joe Joyce, David Adeleye and Dave Allen, whom he stopped inside three rounds.
Itauma vs Hrgovic prediction: Having boxed just 31 professional rounds, plenty of questions remain about Moses Itauma, and Hrgovic may answer some of them this weekend. However, if Itauma can display the speed he has shown in previous fights, he will likely prove too much for Hrgovic. A late Itauma stoppage seems the most likely outcome.
Ursu battles Vaughan
Beyond our Itauma vs Hrgovic prediction, there are several other undercard bouts worth watching. Constantin Ursu is back in action six months after his victory over Owen Cooper in Derby.
He faces Ben Vaughan, who has lost just twice to date. Those two defeats came against Bobby Dalton and Ekow Essuman, both by majority decision, as Vaughan pushed them to the limit.
Prediction: Ursu should have enough to clinch the British and Commonwealth welterweight titles in this Itauma vs Hrgovic preview undercard clash, likely after 12 rounds.
Itauma vs Hrgovic Preview Remaining Undercard
Unbeaten Albanian Hysa returns to the ring after a 10-month layoff. He was last in action against Abel Pesut, whom he stopped in the third round.
Hysa has an impressive record of 24 victories, with 22 coming by way of stoppage. However, he faces a tough test in Thomas Narmo, a fellow unbeaten heavyweight.
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Narmo boasts a 100% stoppage ratio and was last in action six months ago against Mark De Mori.
Prediction: Hysa will show his experience in this one and should get the win before the final bell.
Aloys Junior hasn’t fought in over 13 months. He last beat Ellis Zorro over 10 rounds in what many viewed as a disappointing showing.
He faces Sherif Musah, who steps in on a few days’ notice after Mike Perez was forced to withdraw. ‘The Animal’ should be able to stop him.
Elsewhere on the undercard of this Itauma vs Hrgovic preview, Sam Noakes looking to bounce back for the second time since his unanimous-decision loss to Abdullah Mason in their WBO lightweight title fight.
He should edge a points victory over Denys Berinchyk on Saturday.
Tony Curtis should win on points against Imad Naseeb, while Arbnor Jashai should stop Numan Hussain.
Rounding off the Itauma vs Hrgovic preview, Guido Vianello’s clash with unbeaten Moses Jolly should prove to be an epic heavyweight contest. But the Italian should have enough to secure the victory.
This stacked Itauma vs Hrgovic preview card closes with several unbeaten prospects. Frankie Wood, Sam King, Zayn Ahmed and Hassan Ishaq should all extend their undefeated records.
