Queensberry promoter Frank Warren has hailed British heavyweight Moses Itauma as the sport’s “hottest young fighter” but knows he faces a massive step up against Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF crown.
It was announced on Tuesday that 21-year-old Itauma (14-0, 12KOs) will get the chance to fight for the IBF belt when he headlines at O2 Arena on August 29.
A 15th consecutive professional victory for Itauma in London would make him the second-youngest world heavyweight champion of all-time behind Mike Tyson, but experienced Croatian operator Hrgovic (20-1, 15KOs) will provide the southpaw sensation with the sternest test of his career.
“I think the fans have taken to Moses so much,” Warren said.
“His name is always in the top two fighters they speak about and the proof is in the pudding. That last show in Manchester, that was the highest-grossing boxing event they’ve had at a new stadium in Manchester (against Jermaine Franklin at Co-op Live Arena).
“And that was his 14th fight, so the public have taken to him. Who do you think is the hottest young fighter in the world? It’s Moses. Everybody says that.
“American journalists, the American public, anybody who’s seen him, his fights have been on DAZN, that’s shown around the world. All everybody talks about is Moses, so he’s got a lot to carry on his shoulders.
“And here we are. We’ve got for Moses the opportunity to become the second-youngest ever world heavyweight champion after Mike Tyson. He’s only had 14 fights, so this is a massive step up for him.
“You’ve all seen Hrgovic. He’s got a stellar amateur record and as a pro, he’s only lost one fight. He’s got 15 KOs, he can punch and he fancies it. He really does think that he’s got the skills to beat Moses.
“He thinks he’s got the experience and we’re going to find out. Moses, as a pro, and if you look at the number of rounds he’s got under his belt, they’re not a lot of rounds, but we believe in him.
“I do think this is a fight that I hope he comes through and will show the world what a talent he is.”
When Oleksandr Usyk vacated the IBF belt, Itauma was sanctioned to face Frank Sanchez for the title, but the Cuban agreed to step aside for a fee and will instead take on the winner of the August 29 showdown.
However, the long-term aims of Hall of Fame promoter Warren include Itauma being involved in a potential undisputed world heavyweight contest in 2027 with Queensberry stablemate Daniel Dubois, who is set for a rematch with Fabio Wardley in October.
Itauma could also face the winner of the eagerly-anticipated ‘Battle of Britain’ bout between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, which is still expected to take place in November but in New York rather than London.
Warren added: “All of those fights are there to be done if the fighters want to do them and as I say, exciting times.
“What a great fight that is if Moses comes through, Daniel Dubois down the road. Two massive punchers. What a fight that would be. That’s a stadium-filler all day long.
“One thing is for sure, the British heavyweight scene is alive. You have a big fight coming up with the two senior heavyweights in Tyson and AJ. Everybody is waiting for that to happen in November and be announced. In the meantime, you have got all these other guys jockeying around.”
