LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 22: Moses Itauma (L) and Filip Hrgovic (R) face off as Frank Warren, Founder of Queensbury Promotions (C), watches on following a press conference ahead of their heavyweight fight on the ‘Natural Born Thriller’ card at Studio 338 on June 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images)
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Moses Itauma fights could soon become must-see events across the world. The 21-year-old, undefeated KO artist is that talented. On Saturday, Itauma gets the biggest test of his career and his first opportunity to become a world champion. Itauma faces Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF heavyweight title at the O2 Arena in London. You need to watch. Let’s talk boxing.
Itauma Vs. Hrgovic: Key FactsDetailInfoDateSaturday, August 29, 2026VenueThe O2 Arena, LondonTitleVacant IBF heavyweightFirst bell5 p.m. BSTMain event ring walkAround 10 p.m. BSTHow to watchDAZN pay-per-view, UK and USPromotersQueensberry, Most Valuable PromotionsItauma14-0, 12 KOs, 21 years oldHrgovic20-1, 15 KOs, 34 years oldWhy vacantOleksandr Usyk gave up the belt in June 2026Mandatory nextFrank Sanchez, 26-1, 19 KOsWhy Itauma Is Worth Your Saturday
What makes Itauma such an elite prospect? It’s tough to know where to start. He has hand speed that is most often attached to a smaller man. He has good feet, explosive power and while he’s not a towering heavyweight like Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder, his 6-foot-4 height is plently when coupled with his gifts.
Hrgovic is no slouch. While some may have preferred to see Itauma win the belt from Oleksandr Usyk, the man who vacated the IBF strap, this win — if Moses can get it — is not a walkover victory. Hrgovic is big, skilled and he has proven to be rugged. He’s 34, which is prime for most heavyweights, 20-1 with his only defeat coming by way of stoppage against current WBO champion, Daniel Dubois in June 2024.
To put it plainly, this is a legitimate heavyweight championship fight that fight fans should be excited to watch. The sport needs heavyweights with star power and Itauma is that guy.
The IBF belt has been vacant since Usyk gave it up in June. Itauma is 14-0 with 12 knockouts, Hrgovic 20-1 with 15.
Whoever wins is already boxed in. Frank Warren paid Frank Sanchez a step-aside fee, and Sanchez, ranked first by the IBF, gets the first defense.
First bell is 5 p.m. BST, with the main event walking around 10 p.m.
Itauma Vs. Hrgovic Full CardBoutDivisionMoses Itauma vs. Filip HrgovicHeavyweight, vacant IBF titleSam Noakes vs. Denys BerinchykLightweightConstantin Ursu vs. Ben VaughanBritish and Commonwealth welterweight titlesAloys Youmbi vs. Mike PerezCruiserweightTony Curtis vs. Nathan GonzalesSuper flyweightAbnor Jashari vs. Numan HussainSuper featherweightFrankie Wood vs. Callum LeeFeatherweightSam King vs. Jack SwallowMiddleweightZayn Ahmed vs. Liam FitzmauriceSuper bantamweightHassan Ishaq vs. Enzo Bahiano MunozSuper bantamweightWhat The Winner Actually GetsThe vacant IBF heavyweight championshipA mandatory defense against Frank Sanchez, already agreedSanchez took a step-aside fee rather than face Itauma on June 30Both Itauma and Sanchez are Queensberry fightersSanchez earned the position with a second-round knockout of Richard Torrez in MayREAD MORE