Moses Itauma expects ‘long night’ in IBF title fight against Filip Hrgovic

British heavyweight sensation Moses Itauma has acknowledged he is not always comfortable under the bright lights, but is ready to come through a “long night” with Filip Hrgovic and embrace destiny.

Itauma can become the second-youngest world heavyweight champion of all-time behind Mike Tyson on August 29th when the IBF crown is on the line at O2 Arena, but experienced Croatian operator Hrgovic stands in the way.

The 21-year-old from Chatham was described as the hottest prospect in boxing by Queensberry promoter Frank Warren this week. Whilst Itauma is not entirely comfortable with stardom, he is ready to make history after it was announced on Tuesday he would fight for the vacant IBF belt.

https://x.com/Queensberry/status/2085621969395835052?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

“I didn’t really have no reaction. I was like, ‘if I’m fighting Hrgovic and I’ve got the opportunity for it to be for a world title? Yeah, chuck a world title on the line,’ I didn’t really have a feeling,” Itauma told British media on a Zoom call on Friday.

“I was taking Hrgovic serious and now that the fight is for a world title, I am still taking it serious. It is still the same fight.

“I just had an interview with BBC and they asked me what is the one thing that people don’t know about Moses Itauma? And I said, ‘I don’t actually want to be under the bright lights but with the way I am going, it looks like I ain’t got no choice.’

“I appreciate the compliment from Frank Warren. 
Do I agree? You know what it is, I feel like I am still developing the character, the person and the fighter I want to be like a lot of people up there have.

“It is hard to ignore Jaron Ennis, Shakur Stevenson, they are all still young so I wouldn’t be able to say I could outshine them if