Moses Itauma was in talks with two alternative opponents after Filip Hrgovic went AWOL

Moses Itauma’s handlers started looking at alternative opponents after Filip Hrgovic went AWOL during negotiations for their upcoming clash.

“He was contractually obliged to take the fight, then he ducked out of it, and went quiet for a week or so,” Itauma’s manager, Francis Warren, told talkSPORT.com.

Queensberry

“It got to the point where we started talking to other opponents.”

Warren revealed that Arslanbek Makhmudov, who lost to Tyson Fury in April and Justis Huni, who beat Frazer Clarke on the same card, were both approached before Hrgovic got back in contact.

“At the eleventh hour, he said, ‘Actually, I want a bout agreement [pre-fight paperwork]’,” added Warren.

“We are delighted that Hrgovic has signed, as it is a gateway to world titles.”

Itauma is now set to meet Hrgovic on August 29 at London’s O2 Arena in his biggest step up to date.

While several preeminent voices believe Itauma is the heir apparent to the heavyweight throne, he is yet to be tested against the divisional elite.

Bona fide top 10 heavyweight Hrgovic will act as an effective yardstick of the precocious talent’s true potential.

The Croatian holds notable wins over Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce, while his sole defeat came at the hands of Daniel Dubois in a fight that he was arguably winning up until he was stopped due to cuts in the eighth round.

Itauma is aware of the task at hand and was full of respect for his upcoming opponent during an appearance on talkSPORT on Monday afternoon.

Moses Itauma’s biggest test to date

“Out of the names that I had, Filip Hrgovic was the best out of all of them, and I said, ‘Let’s make that fight happen’,” Itauma told talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan and Jim White.

Getty

Getty

Getty

“And because he was signed with Queensberry and Frank Warren, it was easy to make.

“He is ranked higher than I am with some sanctioning bodies, and it is about getting the bag or getting the man with the bag.

“He’s one of the best out of the current crop…

“He’s an Olympic bronze medallist, the guy has achieved a lot.

“And I can claim those achievements [if I beat him].

“If I’m able to do a number on him, then people will say ‘Yeah, Hrgovic was good, but did you see what Moses Itauma did to him?'”

Watch Boxing on DAZN

*If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue

Sign up to DAZN to access the definitive subscription for boxing fans.

Upgrade to DAZN Ultimate from just £24.99/month, guaranteeing access to 185+ fights annually, a minimum of 12 pay-per-views at no extra cost, as well as every Lega Serie A match and other elite football access.

Alternatively, DAZN Standard is just £15.99/month, with the caveat you will have to pay for pay-per-view events.

Click here to sign up.