Moses Itauma intends on becoming Britain’s youngest ever world heavyweight champion even though he accepts Filip Hrgovic’s claim that it could “ruin his soul”.
The rivals clash for the IBF title that was relinquished by Oleksandr Usyk in June when they meet at The O2 on Saturday, with knockout specialist Itauma expected to continue his rapid ascent to the summit in only his 15th fight.
Hrgovic is by far the toughest challenge the 21-year-old southpaw has faced and the respected Croatian, an Olympic bronze medallist in 2016, has been using his experience to get under his rival’s skin.
Apart from calling Itauma “delusional” and a “kid”, he insists it would be “best to lose this fight to save his soul” because he is unprepared for the stardom that awaits.
Itauma responded: “Although Hrgovic is starting to wind me up, that’s one thing I hear because I already know how I’m coping with the level of success I’ve achieved.
“I’ve always said I never wanted to be at the level of Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury because I know how annoyed I get trying to be a normal person.
“Now I can’t imagine being at a level of Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua, but at the same time if I’m going down the path I’m going, I don’t have a choice.
“I wouldn’t say Hrgovic has a point, but if I win this fight it might not be good for my soul. I can hear that.
“But that’s not a reason why I’m just gonna go in there and not win – for the sake of my soul. That’s not a good idea.”
Hrgovic’s only defeat was an eighth-round stoppage on cuts by Daniel Dubois in 2024 and the power-punching 34-year-old believes his experience gives him an important advantage.
“When I looked at Itauma I saw a kid in his eyes, in his behaviour, in his attitude,” Hrgovic said. “He’s not aware of a lot of things. He’s not been through a lot of things.
“Everything has gone well for him. He hasn’t had any hard times. He went from youth level to professional. He had a few fights and became a star.
“Everyone is clapping him on his back – ‘you’re the best, you’re the next Muhammad Ali, you’re the new Mike Tyson’. He’s just not in reality.
“Winning the world title would ruin him. He’s not ready for that. He’s already in the clouds, he’s already delusional.
“Someone who’s not ready for that kind of fame, that kind of money, it can ruin your soul, it can make you lose yourself and we’ve seen a lot of superstars and famous people who have lost themselves. I’m in a much different position because of the experience I have, what I’ve been through and the ups and downs in my life.
“I’m like a rock. Stable. Nothing can move me. I don’t care about fame. I don’t care about money. I don’t care about what people think and I’m grateful for the hard times I’ve had.”
