Filip Hrgovic vows to stop Moses Itauma in vacant IBF title bout

Filip Hrgovic has promised to halt Moses Itauma’s rise when they meet for the vacant IBF heavyweight world title next weekend. The Croatian has also named Daniel Dubois as the man he wants to face after the fight, should he claim the championship.

Hrgovic’s planned route is built around revenge. He suffered the only defeat of his professional career against Dubois in 2024, when the pair fought for the IBF interim heavyweight title. Dubois was later elevated to full world champion.

The Croatian has rebuilt his position since that setback with three successive victories over British heavyweights. He defeated Joe Joyce, David Adeleye and Dave Allen, and Itauma will become the fifth British heavyweight in a row to stand opposite him.

Despite that run, Hrgovic is expected to enter the Itauma fight as a significant underdog. He has made clear that he believes stopping the younger heavyweight would remove the momentum around Itauma before he turns his attention back to Dubois.

Hrgovic’s preferred next step would be a rematch with Dubois for the WBO heavyweight world title. His stated aim is to avenge the loss that stopped his first attempt to become a world champion, although the winner of the Itauma fight may have another mandatory challenge waiting.

Frank Sanchez has agreed to step aside so the IBF belt can be placed on the line in the Hrgovic-Itauma contest. That arrangement makes Sanchez a likely next opponent for the winner, potentially delaying Hrgovic’s proposed return bout with Dubois.

Dubois, meanwhile, is set to meet Fabio Wardley again in an attempted first defence of the WBO heavyweight title. A second fight between the British heavyweights is reportedly being lined up for Saturday, October 17, at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.