Croatian super heavyweight Filip Hrgovic, ahead of his bout against unbeaten Briton Moses Itauma, scheduled for August 29 at the O2 Arena in London, spoke candidly about his chances and his attitude toward the underdog tag. According to Ring Magazine, as cited by Sport RBC.UA, the 34-year-old boxer acknowledged that the global boxing community sees him as the outsider in this matchup, yet he himself is convinced of his own victory and emphasizes that no one expects a surprise from him, which, in his words, only frees him from unnecessary pressure in the ring.
The Underdog Tag as a Tactical Advantage
“If I lose, the whole world has already written me off anyway. Everyone expects him to win, so I have especially nothing to lose,” Hrgovic stated. In his own words, he is 34 years old, ranks among the top five heavyweights in the world, and is currently staging one of the most significant fights in the division. “I am proud of myself and I believe I beat this one,” the Croatian added, referring to Itauma. This approach to the pre-fight narrative allows the experienced boxer to shed the psychological load that a favorite usually carries and to act in the ring with maximum freedom.
“It’s Like a War”: Hrgovic on the Ruthlessness of the Boxing Business
Answering questions about his long path in professional boxing, Hrgovic stressed that years of tough trials have forged him. “This is a tough sport. Many people get lost because of promoters, managers, contracts and the ruthlessness of this game. This is not even a sport. It’s like a war. Like a battle. I have been through all of it and I am still in a great position,” the Croatian summed up. His words were delivered at a press conference, where promoter Frank Warren was also present, his name displayed on a placard in front of the speaker, while DAZN branding — the exclusive broadcaster of the upcoming event — dominated the backdrop.
A Possible Career Finale and Best Shape in 20 Years
Hrgovic did not hide that a loss to Itauma could serve as a clear signal for him to end his professional career. At the same time, he categorically refutes the notion that he is on the decline: in his claim, he currently feels in the best physical condition of his entire 20 years in boxing. The Croatian began competing in the professional division in 2017. After nearly nine years, he has 21 fights to his name, winning 20 of them, 15 by knockout. In 2018, Hrgovic captured the WBC championship belt, and in 2020 he added the IBF International title to his collection. His only professional defeat came in 2024, when he lost to Daniel Dubois.
Context of the Bout and the Opponent’s Expectations
The Hrgovic–Itauma fight will be the main event of the August 29 boxing card at the O2 Arena in London. For the 23-year-old Briton, who had not known defeat before, this bout is, in his own words, the toughest of his career. For Hrgovic, by contrast, it is a chance to prove that his status as one of the top five heavyweights on the planet is no accident, and that age is not a death sentence in the super heavyweight division. Tickets for the event, as indicated on the arena board, were sold through the AXS.com platform, while the broadcast will be available to viewers via the DAZN platform.
