Moses Itauma is set to take on Filip Hrgovic in a clash for the vacant IBF heavyweight world title next weekend and now esteemed British boxing trainer Peter Fury has offered his final verdict for the fight.
Up until this month, Frank Sanchez had been set to compete for the vacant IBF crown, following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to relinquish the belt, with Bakhodir Jalolov deemed his most likely opponent.
However, Sanchez has since agreed to a step-aside deal, which allows Itauma and Hrgovic to compete for the title, with the victor then being made to face him in a first defence.
As a result, next Saturday, 21-year-old Itauma has the opportunity to become the second-youngest heavyweight world champion of all time, with Mike Tyson being the only combatant to have captured world heavyweight honours faster.
Speaking to Boxing Now, Peter Fury admitted that the youngster has got a ‘very bright future’, but admitted that he wants to see Itauma put on the back-foot.
“If he [Itauma] comes through these type of fights, then we will see. He has got everything else, the only thing that we have not seen is when he has been put on the back-foot and put under pressure, because they [opponents] just haven’t been good enough.
“Is anybody good enough? There will be someone, won’t they? So, let’s see, but the future is very bright for him.”
Continuing, Fury, who trained Rico Verhoeven against Usyk back in May, declared that Hrgovic’s lack of defence could be his downfall when he squares off with Itauma.
“I’m looking forward to the fight. Hrgovic is a good, solid fighter, but he does take a lot of punches, for me, he doesn’t seem to have the best defence and I think that could be a big problem with somebody like Itauma, to be honest.
“But, he is a tough man and he has been in boxing a long time. He looks awkward, as well, he is a big strong unit, so it is going to be interesting.”
Itauma-Hrgovic takes place on Saturday, August 29, at the O2 Arena in London, with Aloys Youmbi and Sam Noakes also appearing on the bill.
