Filip Hrgovic could meet rising unbeaten Moses Itauma as soon as August after stopping Dave Allen inside three rounds on Saturday in Doncaster. The Croatian, an Olympic bronze medallist who has faced top heavyweights including Daniel Dubois, dominated Allen at the Eco-Power Stadium and apologised to the home crowd afterward.
Hrgovic said he knew he wasn’t the local favourite but insisted the result was what boxing demands and that his focus remains on becoming heavyweight champion of the world. He explained he started quickly because he was landing clean shots and wanted to finish the fight early to make a statement, describing Allen as ‘very open from the beginning.’
On a possible clash with Itauma, Hrgovic was emphatic and defiant: ‘Moses never reached the promised land! I want to fight with anyone in the division, Moses, anyone.’ If he avoids injury or cuts in the coming weeks, he could be ready to face Itauma in August.
Itauma is an unbeaten prospect who recently produced a fifth-round knockout of Jermaine Franklin at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena, a finish described as ‘beautiful’ by broadcasters. Queensberry Promotions’ George Warren says a Hrgovic–Itauma fight is on course and that the framework is already in place: the potential matchup was one of the options included when Hrgovic re-signed with Queensberry.
‘They’re going to have to get it on at some point so let’s get on with it now,’ Warren said, adding that securing and announcing the fight will be his priority when back in the office.
Local fans will also be able to catch more top domestic action soon: Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki is live on Sky Sports on June 6.