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Britain could have a new heavyweight world champion on Saturday when 21-year-old Moses Itauma faces Croatian Filip Hrgovic at London’s O2 Arena for the vacant IBF title. Itauma carries a 14-0 record into the contest, with 12 stoppages, and a win would make him the youngest heavyweight world champion since Mike Tyson in 1986.
Hrgovic is a serious step up. The experienced 34-year-old, a 2016 Olympic bronze medallist, holds a record of 20 wins and one defeat, with 15 victories inside the distance. Radio commentary begins at 21:00 BST on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website and app, switching to BBC Radio 5 Live from 22:00. Live text commentary starts at 19:30 on the BBC Sport website and app.
What the Boxing World Is Saying
Ahead of the fight, a range of fighters, trainers, and broadcasters have offered their assessments. The consensus is clear: almost every pundit is backing Itauma, though several flag Hrgovic’s toughness as a variable that could complicate the night.
Prince Naseem Hamed — Former Featherweight World Champion
“Hrgovic right now is possibly the best fighter for him to face. On paper it’s a test but I don’t think it will be a test. I don’t think Moses will be under any form of pressure in a fight like this. I think it’s going to be one of Moses’ easiest nights of his career and he’ll win a world title.”
Prediction: Itauma
Carl Frampton — Former Two-Weight World Champion
“I do have Itauma as the favourite. He is no doubt a better fighter but still unproven over the long distance. And I think people are maybe just forgetting just how tough Hrgovic is and how good he is at taking a shot. I can see Itauma blowing him away early because he’s so accurate but I can also see Hrgovic riding the storm and it becoming a more difficult fight in the second half for Itauma. But I still see Moses coming out on top. Hrgovic cuts a lot and I can see this being stopped on cuts because Itauma will hit him so often.”
Prediction: Itauma
Tony Bellew — Former Cruiserweight World Champion
“It’s a really good fight. It’s a test that Itauma has been needing for a while. Stylistically, it’s very interesting. I think this fight will be really hard or really easy. I don’t see a middle ground where Itauma will cruise and will look great doing it. I think he either gets rid of him inside three rounds or this is the acid test we’ve all been waiting for. Hrgovic is brave and tough but he stands up tall and is quite easy to hit. Itauma has got the whole package. He’s in and out of range, he’s sharp. He’s got the footwork and speed of a cruiserweight and the power of a heavyweight. So I’ll go with Itauma inside three rounds.”
Prediction: Itauma (inside three rounds)
Anthony Crolla — Former Lightweight World Champion
“I’ve said for a while that I’d back Moses against any heavyweight on the planet, other than Oleksandr Usyk. Going by Usyk’s last performance against Rico Verhoeven, I’d probably back Moses against him too. Hrgovic is technically good and will ask Itauma a few more questions than previous opponents. But ultimately, I think the speed and timing of Moses will be the difference. He will get to him in the sixth or seventh round and stop him, with maybe a few knockdowns along the way.”
Prediction: Itauma (stoppage, rounds 6-7)
Jeamie TKV — British Heavyweight
“I favour Moses to get the win. I know Hrgovic will come prepared. He’s game and not a pushover. He’s coming to win a world title. So it won’t be a straightforward fight, but it will be a good fight. I’m rooting for Moses so I say he will win by any means necessary. Whether it’s points, stoppage or even a disqualification.”
Prediction: Itauma
Paul Smith — Former World-Title Challenger
“I fancy Itauma to make a statement with a stoppage mid to late rounds. I think the cuts of Hrgovic may come into play, but I also think Itauma will take his time, find the gaps and then get the stoppage.”
Prediction: Itauma (mid-to-late stoppage)
Dave Coldwell — Boxing Trainer
“I think it’s Itauma’s time and he stops him. I think he will be too much for a 34-year-old Hrgovic, who has never really pushed on like we expected him to. It could be with sharp punches and he knocks Hrgovic out within four or five rounds, or he stops him on cuts a little bit later on. Hrgovic’s skin really shreds and that’s the danger with Itauma’s punches. His timing and accuracy is really good. Hrgovic is very tough, but he can be one dimensional in terms of his feet coming forward. He’s a bit cumbersome and he leans back and is there to be hit. I think Itauma will close the distance really well going forward or dropping back with great devastating counter-punches as he’s retreating.”
Prediction: Itauma (stoppage)
Ade Oladipo — DAZN Presenter
“As this fight gets closer — and this always happens with big fights — opinions change. My opinion hasn’t changed but it has definitely got tighter. I still think Itauma will get this done but I’m not as convinced as I was three or four months ago. Hrgovic looks in incredible shape. He’s been training away in the mountains of Big Bear Lake in California with Abel Sanchez. I do think Itauma gets it done between rounds six and eight and it’s a stoppage on cuts, but not without facing some trouble first.”
Prediction: Itauma (rounds 6-8, stoppage on cuts)
Barry Jones — Former Super-Featherweight World Champion
“This is, on paper, a test for Itauma. Hrgovic is big, strong and his resume is far stronger. But still, are we allowed to dream about a young heavyweight who could change the landscape? I think we should. Itauma has the speed, agility, and the thought process of his work is what sets him apart from other heavyweights right now. I really strongly believe he will do a job on Saturday. I think he will be impressive and wear down a really robust and physically tough Hrgovic. I think Itauma wins within six rounds.”
Prediction: Itauma (within six rounds)
The Verdict
Every pundit in this roundup backs Itauma, but the margin of confidence varies. The recurring concern is Hrgovic’s durability and his ability to absorb punishment and stay dangerous. Several analysts point to cuts as a likely route to stoppage, given Hrgovic’s history of facial damage and the precision Itauma brings to his work. Itauma’s southpaw speed, punch accuracy, and footwork stand out as the primary advantages cited across the board.
Whether this ends dramatically inside three rounds as Bellew suggests, or stretches into the middle rounds as Crolla and Oladipo expect, the boxing world is watching one of the most anticipated British heavyweight bouts in years. Follow TipsGG for full coverage and analysis as fight night unfolds.