Hrgovic confident of Itauma upset

August 15, 2026 12:01 am

Filip Hrgovic says he believes he can upset Moses Itauma when the pair meet at London’s O2 Arena on August 29, insisting he remains unfazed by the hype surrounding his young opponent, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Speaking to DAZN ahead of the bout, the Croatian heavyweight said he was aware that many in the boxing world had written him off but maintained that his experience would prove decisive.

“I know the boxing world write me off in this fight, like he’s new Mike Tyson, young kid, young destroyer, but I believe in myself, and this is the biggest fight of my life, and it’s in the right moment. I’m just 34, a lot of experience, a lot of energy, a lot of power, a lot of everything. So, I’m happy with this fight, and I’ll beat him,” Hrgovic said.

He acknowledged Itauma’s talent but argued that the young Briton’s rapid rise had not tested him in the way his own career had. “They hype him a lot. He definitely got talent and big qualities, and he’s a big puncher and quick heavyweight, but definitely it’s much more, in my opinion, than he deserves,” he said.

Asked to explain the edge he believes his experience gives him, Hrgovic said adversity outside and inside the ring had shaped him into a different fighter.

“I’ve learned when it’s hard to don’t give up, to fight back and to endure everything on my way to the win. It makes you a stronger person, stronger will, and it just built me different than him. I feel like when he’s compared to my career, he’s got everything handed to him on the table, and it’s different,” he said.

Reviewing footage of Itauma’s fights, Hrgovic outlined how he intends to neutralise his opponent’s style.

“His feinting, it’s not going to work with me. I’m going to stick the jab in his face with that feinting down, down to the body. And if he comes with a left hand, I’m going back, boom, counter punch. Right hand, left hook, and then here and there I’m just going to miss on purpose with the right hand and come back with a left, sleeping,” he said.

The vacant IBF world title is now on the line for the fight, with Itauma, who has won all 14 of his professional contests, insisting his motivation to beat Hrgovic remains unchanged regardless of the belt.

Peter Akinbo

Peter, who has been covering sports for PUNCH for close to two years, focuses on combat sports reporting, special features and human angle stories

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