Nigerian-born fast-growing heavyweight boxer, Moses Itauma, has received an early world title shot, following an unexpected upgrade of his upcoming International Boxing Federation (IBF) challenge contest with Filip Hrgovic into a certified fight for the belt.
Sports247 gathered that 21-year-old Itauma’s upcoming bout with Hrgovic on August 29th at London’s O2 Arena, which was initially an elimination contest, will now be for the IBF belt vacated by Oleksandr Usyk in June, thereby paving the way for an early ascent for the youngster.
It also means that Itauma, who is widely rated as the most promising star of boxing, with 12 knockouts in 14 professional victories, would become the youngest heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson … if he beats Hrgovic.
Itauma had initially been ordered to enter negotiations with Cuba’s Frank Sanchez for the vacant title and was given a deadline of July 29th, but his opponent has agreed to step aside and will instead face the winner of this upcoming bout.
Itauma’s promoter, Frank Warren, told BBC Sport: “A lot of people have high expectations of him as I have. We signed him when he was 16. He was an amateur. We sponsored him, and he turned professional with us.
“He’s been amazing and sort of taken the world by storm. This is a big moment for him. I’m confident he can do it. We paid (Sanchez) some money. We said whoever wins the fight, you’re not losing out, and you’ll get the opportunity to fight for the title against the winner.”
Sports247 reports further that it will be the next big test for Itauma, who got a fifth-round stoppage of USA’s Jermaine Franklin in March, before which he knocked out fellow Brit Dillian Whyte during the first round of their abrupt fight in August 2025.
On the other hand, 34-year-old Hrgovic, a Rio 2016 Olympic Games bronze medallist, has won 20 professional fights and last stopped Britain’s Dave Allen during the third round in May, thereby making him a firm challenger for Itauma’s credentials.
