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Add FightsATW on GoogleWhat is at stake for Moses Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) when he faces Filip Hrgovic (20-1, 15 KOs) on Saturday for the vacant IBF heavyweight title?
Let’s talk through some of the storylines for this British pay-per-view fight as Itauma looks to lead the next generation of heavyweights, at a time when the youth in the heavyweight division doesn’t look so promising.
Why Is This A U.S. Pay-Per-View?
Yes, Itauma rules. Yes, he is similar to Mike Tyson in terms of his excitement and brutal KOs. That is where it stops, sadly.
Itauma simply doesn’t have the crossover and cultural reach Tyson had in the U.S. While hardcore fight fans know who he is, many people don’t. The first question I will ask is simple: Why put an interesting (and unknown to many in the U.S.) fighter behind a paywall, especially a week after another pay-per-view fight (Teofimo Lopez vs. Rolando Romero)?
It just seems like a good way to keep a fighter obscure.
The Moses Itauma Hype Train
After beating Jermaine Franklin, I am firmly on board this train, but let’s not lose sight of the fact that Itauma has beaten many older heavyweights who were past their prime, using speed and athleticism. Against Franklin, he used composure and a fight IQ that impressed me.
Itauma is fun because you can believe he is overhyped or that he is the next guy. As of now, we don’t know. This is the first fighter he is facing who is close to his prime, so that should give us a read.
If he wins this, he is a name taking on the top guys.
Filip Hrgovic Gets Hit
Hrgovic is vulnerable. He is far from a perfect fighter. Sure, he was an Olympian, but in his big fights against Daniel Dubois and Zhilei “Big Bang” Zhang, he absorbed hard punches. Part of that stems from his robotic, upright style, and another part is in his DNA. He can punch, but he also gets hit.
The thrill of this fight is watching whether Hrgovic lands early and, if he does, how Itauma takes it. Hrgovic is also known to tire later in fights, so it is an uphill battle.
What Does The Eye Test Say?
Hrgovic never lived up to his potential and, despite great ability, will, as usual, struggle against a more coordinated, more talented fighter and is likely to get stopped in three to six rounds.
What Do The Odds Say?
The odds favor Itauma.
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