The proposed bout would represent a significant step up for the 21-year-old Itauma, who has compiled a 14-0 record with 12 knockouts while steadily climbing the rankings. Although he has impressed with his power and composure, he has yet to face an opponent with Hrgovic’s combination of experience, size, and pedigree.
Hrgovic, 20-1 (15 KOs), rebounded from his 2024 stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois with victories over David Adeleye, Joe Joyce, and most recently Dave Allen. The Croatian contender has spent years operating near world-title level and remains one of the division’s most seasoned fighters.
Itauma has largely been matched against opponents who posed limited tactical threats, making Hrgovic a very different assignment. The Croatian’s educated jab, durability and willingness to fight at a demanding pace could answer questions that have yet to be asked of the British prospect.
While Itauma’s explosive style has generated comparisons with some of the heavyweight division’s biggest punchers, his amateur background was relatively brief and did not include extensive experience against the elite Eastern European or Cuban systems that have traditionally produced technically polished heavyweights.
If finalized, the fight would offer Itauma an opportunity to accelerate his development and strengthen his case as a future world title challenger. For Hrgovic, it presents a chance to halt one of boxing’s fastest-rising prospects and re-establish himself in the heavyweight title picture.
A late-August showdown at London’s O2 Arena would instantly become one of the most compelling heavyweight matchups involving a British fighter this summer.
Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic are in advanced discussions for a heavyweight clash in late August in London, sources told The Ring’s @MikeCoppinger. pic.twitter.com/wYxJWw2c8Y
— InsideRingShow (@InsideRingShow) June 15, 2026