Moses Itauma vs Filip Hrgovic

This is the first fight where Moses Itauma stops being a prospect and starts answering the questions we all want answered. Up to now, he’s looked the business, fast hands, spiteful finishing, calm as you like, but Filip Hrgovic is the real deal and won’t fall over easily. He’s big, seasoned, heavy-handed, and he’s been around the sharp end of the heavyweight game.

Itauma is the sharper, fresher fighter. His feet are quick for a big lad, his combinations come smooth, and he doesn’t waste much. He punches like a man who knows the shot is landing before he’s thrown it. But the question is still there: what happens when someone won’t fold early and starts leaning on him?

Hrgovic is awkward, strong, and horrible to look good against. He’s got that stiff European style, jab, grab, right hand, repeat, and he’ll try to make Moses feel every ounce of heavyweight pressure. His weakness is speed. He can be upright and a bit too available when the tempo goes up.

The nuts and bolts are simple. Itauma has to use angles, not stand in front admiring his work. Hrgovic has to slow him down, rough him up, and drag him past the halfway mark.

Prediction: I think Hrgovic makes it uncomfortable, but Itauma’s speed and punch selection break him up. Itauma by stoppage.