Moses Itauma vs Filip Hrgovic Preview: World Title Showdown at The O2

Moses Itauma has spent his short professional career moving through the heavyweight division at a ridiculous pace. On Saturday night at The O2 in London, that pace takes him into a completely different kind of test.

The unbeaten 14-0 heavyweight faces Filip Hrgovic (20-1-0), with the vacant IBF heavyweight world title on the line. At just 21, Itauma has the opportunity to jump from exciting young heavyweight to world champion in one night.

It is also a good card underneath the main event. Sam Noakes meets former world champion Denys Berinchyk, Constantin Ursu defends his British and Commonwealth welterweight titles against Ben Vaughan, and there are three more heavyweight contests on the bill.

The action will be shown live on DAZN PPV.

Moses Itauma vs Filip Hrgovic

Moses Itauma (14-0-0) against Filip Hrgovic (20-1-0) is the fight where we should find out just how far ahead of schedule Itauma really is.

There has been plenty of needle during fight week, with Hrgovic repeatedly playing on the age difference between them and suggesting Itauma is being pushed into this level too soon. Itauma, unsurprisingly, doesn’t appear to agree.

The intriguing part is that Hrgovic isn’t being brought in simply as another name for the record. He has operated around world level and has only one defeat on his professional record. Itauma may have made his rise look straightforward so far, but this is a sizeable jump.

For Itauma, the attraction is obvious. Win this and there is no longer any discussion about whether he is a heavyweight prospect or contender. He would be an IBF world champion.

Itauma’s speed and sharpness have made him stand out among the current heavyweights, but Hrgovic gives us the chance to see how those qualities hold up against a man who has been around the top end of the division. Personally, that’s what makes this far more interesting than simply watching Itauma try to add another knockout to the highlight reel.

Sam Noakes vs Denys Berinchyk

There is plenty at stake for Sam Noakes (18-1-0) when he faces Denys Berinchyk (19-1-0) at lightweight.

Noakes is trying to work his way back towards another world title opportunity, while Berinchyk brings the experience of having already held the WBO lightweight crown. Both men arrive with just one defeat on their records, so this feels like a proper crossroads fight rather than a routine supporting bout.

It should also tell us plenty about where Noakes currently sits. Berinchyk is exactly the sort of opponent he needs to beat if another run towards a world title is going to gather momentum.

Constantin Ursu vs Ben Vaughan

Unbeaten Constantin Ursu (15-0-0) meets Ben Vaughan (12-2-0) in another significant fight on the card.

Ursu puts his British and Commonwealth welterweight titles on the line against Vaughan. The champion has made it to 15-0, but a domestic title defence on a major O2 bill gives Vaughan a very obvious incentive to upset that unbeaten run.

Nelson Hysa vs Thomas Narmo

Heavyweights Nelson Hysa (24-0-0) and Thomas Narmo (14-0-0) put their unbeaten records against each other, with Hysa’s WBO Global heavyweight title at stake.

It’s one of those undercard fights that immediately catches the eye just from the records. Somebody’s unbeaten run has to go, and with the Itauma-Hrgovic fight topping the bill, it adds another interesting heavyweight angle to the night.

Other Fights on the Card

Guido Vianello (14-3-1) faces unbeaten Moses Jolly (12-0-0) at heavyweight. Jolly gets the opportunity to protect his unbeaten record while stepping in with the considerably more experienced Vianello.

At cruiserweight, Aloys Youmbi (11-1-0) takes on Sherif Musah (4-2-1).

Tony Curtis (13-1-0) meets unbeaten Imad Naseeb (8-0-0) at super flyweight, another contest where an undefeated record is being put under pressure.

Unbeaten super featherweight Arbnor Jashari (9-0-0) faces Numan Hussain (8-1-2).

At featherweight, two unbeaten fighters collide as Frankie Wood (4-0-0) takes on Callum Lee (8-0-0).

Middleweight Sam King (6-0-1) faces the experienced Jack Swallow (4-12-1).

Zayn Ahmed (2-0-0) continues the early stages of his professional career against Liam Fitzmaurice (0-18-0) at super bantamweight.

Also at super bantamweight, unbeaten Hassan Ishaq (3-0-0) meets Enzo Bahiano Munoz (4-16-4).

The attention will inevitably be on Itauma by the time the main event begins. We’ve been hearing how good he could be for a while. Against Hrgovic, we should finally get a much better idea of how good he is right now.

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