Moses Itauma to face Filip Hrgovic in step-up fight as date and venue confirmed

Jun 19, 2026 - 20:15

Moses Itauma is set to step up in class against Filip Hrgovic on August 29 at London’s O2 Arena, live on DAZN.

The precocious talent is being hailed as a heavyweight champion-in-waiting, having torn through fringe world-level opposition with relative ease.

Moses Itauma saluting the crowd with his KO of Jermaine Franklin [left] — Itauma became the first heavyweight to knock out Jermaine Franklin in his last fight three months ago

In March, he became the first man to stop the durable Jermaine Franklin, and at the back end of last year, he blasted away Dillian Whyte inside one round.

While Itauma has barely put a foot wrong during his fledgling 14-0 career, he is yet to be tested at the elite level.

A Croat awakening

That is set to change when the 21-year-old locks horns with bona fide top 10 heavyweight Hrgovic, who is 20-1, with 15 knockouts, in his illustrious professional career.

Frank Warren‘s Queensberry Promotions made the heavyweight clash official on Friday after weeks of rumours.

The Croatian holds notable wins over Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce, while his sole defeat came at the hands of reigning WBO heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois back in June 2024.

Last time out in May, ‘El Animal’ battered Dave Allen from pillar to post en route to a lopsided third-round stoppage victory in ‘The White Rhino’s’ hometown of Doncaster.

And now he is travelling back to Britain to spoil another local fighter’s night.

“This has got all the makings of a classic heavyweight confrontation, and we were determined to get it over the line,” Warren said.

“This fight is the litmus test Moses is ready for, and it is the one he wanted.

“Filip believes it will be too much too soon for the young star.

View Tweet: https://x.com/hashtag/ItaumaHrgovic?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - AUGUST 14: Moses Itauma looks on ahead of his Heavyweight fight against Dillian Whyte during a press conference as part of the Dillian Whyte v Moses Itauma: ESports World Cup event at Kingdom Arena on August 14, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) — Itauma has gotten off to a perfect start to his pro career

Filip Hrgovic landing a punch on Dave Allen — But the 21-year-old faces his toughest test to date in August when he meets Hrgovic, who dismantled Allen in three rounds last month

“At The O2 on August 29th, we will find out on what will be another incredible night for British boxing.”

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