Froch predicts Itauma stoppage against Hrgovic in vacant IBF heavyweight bout

Moses Itauma, 21, is expected by Carl Froch to stop Filip Hrgovic in their vacant IBF heavyweight title fight at London’s O2 Arena next Saturday. Froch also believes an Itauma victory would be a better achievement than Anthony Joshua’s 2016 win over Charles Martin for the same belt.

Itauma has won his fights in dominant fashion, although most of his opponents have not been regarded as elite heavyweights. His strongest result so far came in March, when he stopped Jermaine Franklin in the fifth round.

Hrgovic represents a major step up. The Croatian is regarded as a top-10 heavyweight and has built a reputation as a durable, difficult opponent. Froch expects Itauma’s speed and freshness to give him the advantage, with the younger fighter potentially boxing out Hrgovic before securing a late stoppage.

Froch still sees danger for Itauma if Hrgovic lands cleanly. The former champion said the challenger would provide a stern test and could connect with a damaging punch, making Itauma’s ability to absorb Hrgovic’s power an important part of the contest.

Hrgovic’s durability was tested in his 2024 meeting with Daniel Dubois. He lasted until the eighth round before the bout was stopped because of cuts, with that performance widely viewed as one of the best of his career.

The fight is for the IBF championship relinquished by Oleksandr Usyk in June. The winner is due to meet mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez, who accepted a step-aside arrangement to allow the vacant-title contest to take place. A victory over Hrgovic would therefore give Itauma both a world title and his clearest evidence yet against established heavyweight opposition.