Everything at Stake: Moses vs Filip
Moses Itauma will fight Filip Hrgović for the vacant IBF heavyweight title.
Moses Itauma will face the significantly older and more experienced boxer Filip Hrgović on August 29, and they will fight for the vacant IBF heavyweight title. A victory would make Moses Itauma the second-youngest heavyweight world champion in history, after Mike Tyson. Actually, Frank Sánchez is currently ranked No. 1 in the IBF rankings. However, he has received a buyout and will have the right to face the winner of the title fight within six months. The fight was only retroactively designated as a world title bout after Oleksandr Usyk vacated his title.
For Moses Itauma, this fight will be particularly important. He’s had an impressive career so far and is already seen by many as a rising star. However, there’s also another side to the story that argues he hasn’t defeated any real big names yet, and that this will be his first real test. Promoter Frank Warren, however, also sees great potential in him.
“We signed him when he was 16. He was an amateur, we sponsored him and he turned professional with us. He’s been amazing”
he said.
Moses Itauma admitted, however, that all the pressure and expectations are getting to him, and that he doesn't feel very comfortable in the role.
“I’m not entirely comfortable with stardom”
he said.
He’s expecting a long evening when he faces Filip Hrgović.
This won’t be an easy task for him. Filip Hrgović is a true world-class fighter and has already defeated several big names. His only loss was to Daniel Dubois in 2024. Since then, however, he’s won his next three fights, most recently against Dave Allen.
Filip Hrgović is one of the fighters who seriously challenges Moses Itauma. He wants to put him through his paces and then see if he can live up to the hype.
Whoever wins this fight will shake up the heavyweight scene again. Plus, neither of them will be able to truly enjoy the victory, since the next title defense against Frank Sánchez is already on the horizon. So it’s a very exciting matchup with a lot at stake.
I think Moses Itauma will pass the toughest test. I believe he’ll play a major role in the future. I hope the pressure doesn’t get to him and he can perform as he usually does. What do you guys think?