Hrgovic On Itauma Hype Ahead Of O2 Clash

Filip Hrgovic believes Moses Itauma has been overhyped and that his own path through the heavyweight division will prove decisive when they meet at London's O2 Arena on August 29.

Speaking to DAZN, the 34-year-old Croatian dismissed the notion that the unbeaten British prospect is a new Mike Tyson and said the boxing world has written him off too quickly. "I know the boxing world write me off in this fight, like he's new Mike Tyson, young kid, young destroyer, but I believe in myself and this is the biggest fight of my life and it's in the right moment," Hrgovic said, per Bad Left Hook. "I'm just 34, lot of experience, lot energy, lot of power, lot of everything. So, I'm happy with this fight and I'll beat him."

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Hrgovic Says Experience Gap Will Show Against Itauma

Hrgovic pointed to his tougher route as the difference maker against an opponent he says has been fast-tracked. He told DAZN that years of hard fights and tough rounds taught him how to endure and fight back when hurt, whereas Itauma has been given opportunities without proving himself under fire. "I feel like when he's compared to my career, he's got everything [handed to him on the table] and it's different," he said.

The Croatian also broke down film of Itauma's style and said the feinting that has troubled other opponents will not work on him. Hrgovic outlined a counter strategy built around timing the jab and landing return fire when Itauma dips to the body or throws the left hand.

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The fight is scheduled for 12 rounds in the heavyweight division. Hrgovic enters off a stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois last year, while Itauma remains unbeaten through 12 professional bouts.

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• Bad Left Hook — ‘I’ll beat him’: Filip Hrgovic confident he’ll upset the odds against Moses Itauma