Filip Hrgovic’s short four-word comment that made Moses Itauma lose his cool on stage
Tonight, Moses Itauma, just 21 years old, will take on Filip Hrgovic as he aims to become the second-youngest heavyweight champion ever. The British boxer will face the experienced Croatian for the vacant IBF heavyweight title at London’s O2 Arena.
If Itauma wins, he’ll be second only to Mike Tyson, who became the youngest heavyweight champ back in 1968. Moses is undefeated with a 14-0 record, 12 by knockout, while Hrgovic holds a 20-0-1 record, with 15 knockouts. His only loss was to Daniel Dubois in Riyadh earlier this year.
Before the fight, tensions ran high during their final face-off. Hrgovic, who won an Olympic bronze in 2016, threw some sharp words at Moses, leading to a heated exchange. Moses weighed in at 242 pounds, six pounds heavier than Hrgovic, who came in at 236—a lighter weight than usual for him.
The two got face-to-face trading insults before Moses pushed Hrgovic off the stage, causing him to stumble. Hrgovic then slapped Moses, and security stepped in to separate them. The Croatian told Moses, “I’m the man… you’re just a little kid,” and warned, “I’ll f****** smash you.” Moses calmly replied that the fight tonight will show who’s really stronger.
Afterwards, Hrgovic said he only hit Moses in response since Moses started it, while Moses admitted Hrgovic had gotten under his skin and that his reaction was like “a little itch I had to scratch.” Hrgovic’s insults focused a lot on Moses’ youth and inexperience—the two are 13 years apart in age.
If Moses wants to make history as one of the youngest heavyweight champs, he’ll need to keep his cool both in and out of the ring. “I tell myself there’s nothing this Hrgovic guy can do to get in my head, but he’s starting to wind me up,” Moses said. “If someone’s trying to get in your head, it usually means they aren’t confident. Hrgovic is definitely a talker.”
The big night’s set for 10:30 pm BST, with both fighters ready to make their entrance—and history—in the ring.