British heavyweight boxer Moses Itauma has said Filip Hrgovic's comments are really getting to him ahead of their IBF heavyweight world title fight on Saturday at the O2 Arena in London.
Itauma, 21, tried to ignore Hrgovic's jabs but admitted the Croatian's mind games are starting to bother him. He has been called a “kid” with little experience, which is frustrating.
“I tell myself there’s nothing this Hrgovic guy can do to get in my head, but he’s starting to wind me up,” Itauma shared. He pointed out a recent remark from Hrgovic, where he jokingly said Itauma “wakes up and hugs trees,” as especially annoying.
Itauma added, “In my mind, if somebody’s trying to get one up on you, or trying to get in your head, it’s because they’re not confident in themselves.”
Hrgovic's Taunts
Hrgovic, 34, kept on poking fun at Itauma by not including him in his personal top-five heavyweight list just days before their fight. Hrgovic named himself fourth, following Oleksandr Usyk, Daniel Dubois, and Agit Kabayel, with Tyson Fury in fifth place.
“Usyk has to be considered the leader, that’s not even up for debate, and behind him are Dubois, Kabayel, me, and Fury. But I should say that I’m capable of beating any of them,” said Hrgovic, who won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The Croatian, with a professional record of 20 wins, one loss, and 15 knockouts, believes his experience will give him the edge in the fight.
“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. This is the biggest fight of my life, and it’s in the right moment,” he said.
Itauma's Response
Hrgovic continued, “They hype him a lot. He definitely got talent and big qualities, and he’s a big puncher and quick heavyweight, but definitely it’s much more, in my opinion, than he deserves.”
Itauma, who is unbeaten in all 14 professional fights with 12 knockouts, including a first-round win over former world title challenger Dillian Whyte, said he is still very motivated despite the vacant title.
“I want to beat him as much as I did before the belt was on the line. Of course, it will be an honour. I’d love to be a world champion, but it’s about Filip Hrgovic himself,” he explained.
If he wins, Itauma would become the second-youngest heavyweight world champion ever, after Mike Tyson, who was 20 when he won his first title.
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