British heavyweight Moses Itauma pushed Croatian rival Filip Hrgovic off the stage before receiving a slap to the face during a heated weigh-in at London's O2 Arena on Friday.
The two boxers were conducting their final face-off ahead of Saturday's fight for the vacant International Boxing Federation heavyweight world title. Both men tipped the scales lighter than in their previous bouts, with Itauma weighing in at 241.7lbs and Hrgovic coming in at 236.2lbs.
Tension flared after both fighters stepped off the scales and traded words. As Hrgovic moved toward the front of the stage to flex for the crowd, Itauma shoved him in the back, sending the Croatian stumbling forward off the podium.
Altercation on Stage
Hrgovic kept his feet before climbing back onto the stage and throwing a slap at the face of his British opponent as security personnel intervened to separate the pair.
Hrgovic addressed the confrontation immediately after the incident during an interview with sports streaming service DAZN. "I just tell him what's going to happen, I'll smash him," Hrgovic said.
The Croatian heavyweight explained why he reacted after returning to the stage. "He pushed me first so I just give him back, you know. He started. [The fight is] going to be tough," he said.
Itauma admitted that he lost control during the staredown. "I don't know, I just lost it a little bit. But we're here now, we're here. Let's go," Itauma said when asked about the altercation.
The undefeated fighter offered a succinct reason for pushing Hrgovic from behind. "I had a little itch and I just had to scratch it," Itauma said.
Chasing Boxing History
Saturday's showdown at the O2 Arena in Greenwich gives Itauma the chance to become Britain's youngest heavyweight world champion. A victory would also make him the second-youngest heavyweight champion in global boxing history, behind Mike Tyson.
The 21-year-old enters the contest with an unbeaten 14-fight professional record, having swept aside every opponent placed in front of him. Boxing promoter Frank Warren stated that capturing the world title would elevate Itauma to "sporting icon" status.
Frank Warren, the veteran British promoter and founder of Queensberry Promotions, has guided Itauma's career since the fighter turned professional. Warren has promoted numerous world champions over four decades in boxing.
Hrgovic, a 32-year-old heavyweight contender from Croatia who won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, represents the toughest test of Itauma's career. The fight is staged at London's O2 Arena, a venue situated on the Greenwich Peninsula that regularly hosts world championship boxing events.
The International Boxing Federation is one of the four major sanctioning organizations recognized in professional boxing, alongside the World Boxing Association, World Boxing Council, and World Boxing Organization. The IBF belt became vacant earlier in 2026, setting up Saturday's contest in London.
Comparisons to Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson set the all-time record four decades ago when he dethroned Trevor Berbick to capture the World Boxing Council belt at age 20 in 1986. Itauma has drawn constant comparisons to Tyson as he has advanced rapidly through the heavyweight ranks.
Speaking before the weigh-in about the parallels to Tyson's achievement, Itauma said: "I've always wanted to start off like Mike Tyson but [not] end up how Mike Tyson ended up."
Itauma acknowledged the mental challenges of handling rapid fame and accomplishments early in life. "But now I'm in the shoes that Mike Tyson was, as in all the fame and accolades at such a young age, I'm starting to see and realise why he fell off the way he did," Itauma said. "I just don't want to make the same mistakes he made."
The young prospect shared that reading has helped him stay grounded while navigating his rising profile. "I'm wrapping my head around these things and I guess that's why I'm so heavily into books because I ain't never been in this position before," he said.
Itauma added: "There is such thing as too early, but I'm taking necessary precautions to handle it the way I believe I should."
The event is broadcast live on streaming platform DAZN, which acquired rights for major international boxing broadcasts. London's O2 Arena, formerly known as the Millennium Dome, has a seating capacity of 20,000 and is one of the busiest indoor sports and entertainment venues in Europe.
