Later this month, Filip Hrgovic is looking to give Moses Itauma and British fight fans a reality check as he attempts to pull off the upset and claim the IBF heavyweight world title. Now, the Croatian contender has named five active heavyweights who he says are superior to his next opponent.
Hrgovic’s only career defeat came to Daniel Dubois back in 2024, in a clash where victory would have seen him become heavyweight world champion, with Dubois upgraded to IBF world champion soon after.
Since then, the Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist has responded well – with three wins over English opposition in Joe Joyce, David Adeleye and David Allen to earn a shot at the now-vacant IBF heavyweight world title.
Yet, against Moses Itauma at the end of the month, Hrgovic will step through the ropes as the underdog as he seeks to halt the Itauma hype train.
Still, in an interview with DAZN Boxing, when asked to name the current top five heavyweights, Hrgovic refused to include his upcoming opponent.
“[Oleksandr] Usyk, number one, definitely. Number two, Dubois. Number three, Agit Kabayel. Number four, myself. Number five, Tyson Fury.
“I think I can beat them all, but currently that should great rankings regarding [based off] their achievements.”
Itauma-Hrgovic is scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 29, at the O2 Arena in London, as Itauma headlines in the capital for the first time in his career, topping a pay-per-view bill that also features Sam Noakes, Constantin Ursu and Aloys Youmbi.
