Filip Hrgovic isn’t buying into the hype surrounding Moses Itauma ahead of their heavyweight title showdown.
The Croatian heavyweight is preparing to face the 21-year-old Itauma for the vacant IBF heavyweight championship at London’s O2 Arena. Itauma enters the biggest fight of his young career with plenty of momentum, but Hrgovic believes his opponent has benefited from a much smoother road to the top than he did.
Speaking to ESPN ahead of the fight, Hrgovic made it clear that Itauma’s rapid rise hasn’t impressed him.
Filip Hrgovic Isn’t Impressed By Moses Itauma
Hrgovic’s criticism centered on what he sees as the advantages Itauma has enjoyed while building his professional career in Great Britain.
While Itauma has quickly emerged as one of boxing’s most highly regarded young heavyweights, Hrgovic believes the British prospect has essentially been given everything he needs to succeed.
If you come from Great Britain, you get everything on a plate.
Hrgovic contrasted that with his own journey through the heavyweight division, arguing that he had to create opportunities for himself without receiving the same level of support.
For that reason, he isn’t ready to be impressed by Itauma simply because of how quickly the youngster has climbed the rankings.
So, I’m not impressed. I’m impressed with my path more than him. I needed to do everything by myself.
Hrgovic then doubled down, questioning why he should be impressed by a fighter whose journey he believes has been considerably easier than his own.
Why would I be impressed with Moses Itauma when I have a 10 times harder path? I’m not impressed with him.
Moses Itauma Responds
Moses Itauma has heard Filip Hrgovic’s claims that he’s been given an easy ride to the top of the heavyweight division, but the 21-year-old doesn’t believe the “golden child” label tells the full story.
Itauma acknowledged that he’s received major opportunities early in his career but pushed back against the suggestion that everything has simply been handed to him.
He argued that there’s a difference between receiving opportunities and actually being capable of taking advantage of them. Itauma believes his performances inside the ring are ultimately responsible for the position he finds himself in, rather than preferential treatment alone.
I don’t get treated the way I am for no reason,” responded Itauma. “There’s obviously something about me that Queensberry push. And it’s not what I have done, but what I could do. And I feel like with every fight I have, I’m proving to them that I can do, I am capable of what they think I’m capable of.
The young heavyweight also pointed toward the expectations that have followed him throughout his rise. Itauma has been viewed as one of Britain’s most promising prospects for years, with his age and knockout power creating constant comparisons to some of boxing’s greatest young heavyweights.
Rather than seeing that attention purely as an advantage, Itauma views it as pressure he’s had to live up to.
Of course, it is a step up. A big step up. Yeah, Hrgovic is my toughest opponent. I’m not shying away from that,” Itauma added.
Have I been treated like a golden child? I wouldn’t say so, because it’s not for no reason.
Itauma and Hrgovic are set to collide on August 29 at London’s O2 Arena, with the vacant IBF heavyweight title at stake. The fight represents the biggest test of Itauma’s professional career and an opportunity to become one of the youngest heavyweight world champions in boxing history.
