Moses Itauma will face Filip Hrgovic for the IBF heavyweight title at London’s O2 on August 29 after undisputed king Oleksandr Usyk vacated all four alpha-belts. The 21-year-old Itauma was set to face the 31-year-old Croatian in an eliminator before the bout became a world championship fight.
Promoter Frank Warren signalled a golden age for British heavyweight boxing. "These are amazingly exciting times for heavyweight boxing in this country," Warren said. "We have a whole programme of mouth-watering fights pencilled in our calendar at Queensberry."
Warren backed Itauma to make history. "Although Moses is in his toughest fight yet I expect him to become the second youngest ever world heavyweight champion behind Mike Tyson," Warren said.
Hrgovic’s only defeat in 21 fights came via an eighth-round knockout two years ago against Daniel Dubois. Dubois became WBO champion by stopping Fabio Wardley in a bloodied slugfest this May, with the two Englishmen set for an October rematch.
Future Mandatory and Unification Plans
Warren outlined Itauma's path if he wins. "He would then have to deal with a mandatory defence against (American) Frank Mitchell, who I don’t think is as talented as Hrgovic," Warren said. "Win that and we should be looking at an IBF - WBO title unification fight between him and the winner of Dubois v Wardley. All of those are huge punchers and that fight would sell-out Wembley in a heart-beat."
Warren also has Tyson Fury in his stable for a November Battle of Britain against Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium or New York’s fabled Madison Square Garden. All named fighters are on Queensberry's books except Mitchell and Joshua.
Potential Clash With Tyson Fury
Warren predicted Fury will beat Joshua on seniors night and carry on to fight whichever young blood comes out as undisputed champion. "Imagine Itauma the hottest most talked about heavy on the planet against Fury the box office Gypsy King," Warren said. "Is there a stadium big enough for that."
Warren said the UK will know what Itauma is about by the last Saturday night this month. "And as it happens even at his age he has the maturity and the level head to carry it all off," Warren said. "Even though every fight in his sights now will be as dangerous as they come. Buckle up."
