Filip Hrgovic registered one of the upsets of the year when he beat Moses Itauma last month, but talk of a potential second fight soon followed.
Now, former WBC cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew has revealed whether he believes that the Brit could immediately avenge his first career defeat.
Itauma was expected to become the second-youngest heavyweight world champion in boxing history when tasked with Hrgovic two weeks ago and looked to be on his way to doing so, until his inferior gas tank was exposed and he was halted in round nine.
As a result, Hrgovic became Croatia’s first heavyweight world champion as he scored an iconic win over boxing’s hottest prospect to claim the IBF world title and shake up the division, with Itauma instantly requesting a rematch during the aftermath.
Speaking on the Fight Your Corner Podcast, Bellew says that he would expect Itauma to level the scores in a rematch, favouring the technical advantages of the 21-year-old in spite of his apparent physical disadvantages when compared to Hrgovic.
“I think that he beats Filip Hrgovic [in a rematch]. I just think that he is technically so good. Did Hrgovic hurt Itauma [the first time]? I don’t think he did, I think he was just exhausted.”
Whilst Itauma has stated his desire to meet with the Zagreb-born champion for a second time, it is understood that Hrgovic will instead defend his IBF heavyweight world title against Cuba’s Frank Sanchez, who is the mandatory challenger for the belt after stepping aside to allow Itauma and Hrgovic to compete for the vacant strap.
