Moses Ituama brushes off Hrgovic verbal at press-conference

This Saturday will see undefeated 21 year-old Moses Itauma (14-0) take on Filip Hrgovic (20-1) for the vacant IBF world heavyweight title. A win for Itauma would make him the second youngest heavyweight champion in history, behind only Mike Tyson.

Itauma first real challenge comes in the form of Croatian workhorse, Filip Hrgovic. The olympic Bronze medalist brings almost a decades worth of professional heavyweight boxing experience to the table, along with the aim to upset the Brit on home territory.

Ahead of their fight this weekend, Hrgovic gave a brutally honest view of Itauma at their press-conference, frequently referring to his undefeated opponent as a "kid".

The biggest opportunity of his career so far awaits the man from Chatham on Saturday. With the IBF heavyweight title on the line, Itauma could become a world champion at only 21 years of age.

Amid talk of his potential achievement, he took the opportunity to remind the masses that his focus is on Hrgovic – not making history.

He said: "I’m not trying to become the second youngest heavyweight champion in the world, I’m trying to beat Filip Hrgovic and become a heavyweight champion.

"The world title is an achievment and an accolade, that's a plus one. But my sole focus is Hrgovic."

When questioned by host Adam Smith about Hrgovic's remarks in the lead up to the fight, Itauma denied that the comments were having any effect.

"Nah man, at the end of the day, talk is cheap. He's just got school boy banter and that's it. You have to keep rolling."

Throughout fight week, Hrgovic has been the 'talker' in the interactions between the two heavyweights – frequently making remarks that could be seen as antagonising.

This trend continued at their press-conference in Greenwich, where 'El Animal' brought up Itauma age and inexperience on multiple occasions.

Hrgovic batted away suggestions that he was playing mind games with his undefeated opponent.

He said: “I am just telling you facts. I’m not playing any games. I’m just telling you what I think in the moment. Like I said, I’m not so smart to play mind games.”

Despite his wealth of experience across both amateur and professional boxing, Hrgovic enters the bout as a 5/1 underdog. Words aside, his plan is to defy oddsmakers and halt the Itauma charge.

Most recently he bounced back with a win against Dave Allen, stopping him in the third round.

“I think he’s a kid, he’s not mature enough.

“God willing, I’ll beat him. I’ll smash the kid and send him back to high-school.”

Read our event preview ahead of Saturday here.