Moses Itauma says he doesn’t want to hear any “excuses” from Filip Hrgovic after their world title fight on Saturday.
Itauma and Hrgovic clash for the vacant IBF heavyweight world title at the O2 Arena.
Itauma will become the youngest heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson if he beats the Croatian, but the Hrgovic has branded the 21-year-old a “kid” throughout the build-up.
Additionally, during Thursday’s final press conference, the 34-year-old repeated the jibe.
“I just tell you what I think,” he quipped. “He’s a kid, he’s not mature enough. I think I’m the man. I’m a much better age, much more experienced. That’s it.
“I will smash the kid on Saturday and I’ll send him back to high school.
“No-one ever knocked me out any time in my life. I only got stopped by [Daniel] Dubois because of cuts and I was in terrible shape because of sickness.”
Moses Itauma responds to rival
However, Itauma has fired back at his rival. The Kent man believes his victories over the likes of Dillian Whyte and most recently, Jermaine Franklin in March have more than prepared him for his maiden world title shot.
“Filip Hrgovic he’s a talker,” he told The Stomping Ground. “Every time he’s won but hasn’t looked good, he’s had an excuse.
“He thinks I’m a golden boy and I got given everything.
“Well that means Dillian Whyte, Jermaine Franklin, Demsey McKean and all them lot were paid to lose or they weren’t credible opponents. That’s what he’s trying to say.
“Which if he thinks that, then fine, think it. I don’t care. Whatever.
“But, when it comes to fight night, don’t have no excuses.”
Hrgovic heads into the clash off the back of three successive victories, having lost only once as a professional – to Daniel Dubois. The visitor stopped Dave Allen in three rounds in his last outing in May.
Meanwhile, Itauma has won all 14 of his professional fights. His last bout saw him halt the aforementioned Franklin in five rounds in March.
The winner of Itauma vs Hrgovic will have to fight Frank Sanchez, who accepted step aside money to allow the pair to fight for the title.
