LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 22: Moses Itauma (L) and Filip Hrgovic (R) face off as Frank Warren, Founder of Queensbury Promotions (C), watches on following a press conference ahead of their heavyweight fight on the ‘Natural Born Thriller’ card at Studio 338 on June 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images)
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Moses Itauma fights could soon become must-see events across the world. The 21-year-old, undefeated KO artist is that talented. On Saturday, Itauma gets the biggest test of his career and his first opportunity to become a world champion. Itauma faces Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF heavyweight title at the O2 Arena in London. You need to watch. Let’s talk boxing.
Itauma Vs. Hrgovic: Key Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, August 29, 2026 |
| Venue | The O2 Arena, London |
| Title | Vacant IBF heavyweight |
| First bell | 5 p.m. BST |
| Main event ring walk | Around 10 p.m. BST |
| How to watch | DAZN pay-per-view, UK and US |
| Promoters | Queensberry, Most Valuable Promotions |
| Itauma | 14-0, 12 KOs, 21 years old |
| Hrgovic | 20-1, 15 KOs, 34 years old |
| Why vacant | Oleksandr Usyk gave up the belt in June 2026 |
| Mandatory next | Frank Sanchez, 26-1, 19 KOs |
Why Itauma Is Worth Your Saturday
What makes Itauma such an elite prospect? It’s tough to know where to start. He has hand speed that is most often attached to a smaller man. He has good feet, explosive power and while he’s not a towering heavyweight like Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder, his 6-foot-4 height is plently when coupled with his gifts.
Hrgovic is no slouch. While some may have preferred to see Itauma win the belt from Oleksandr Usyk, the man who vacated the IBF strap, this win — if Moses can get it — is not a walkover victory. Hrgovic is big, skilled and he has proven to be rugged. He’s 34, which is prime for most heavyweights, 20-1 with his only defeat coming by way of stoppage against current WBO champion, Daniel Dubois in June 2024.
To put it plainly, this is a legitimate heavyweight championship fight that fight fans should be excited to watch. The sport needs heavyweights with star power and Itauma is that guy.
The IBF belt has been vacant since Usyk gave it up in June. Itauma is 14-0 with 12 knockouts, Hrgovic 20-1 with 15.
Whoever wins is already boxed in. Frank Warren paid Frank Sanchez a step-aside fee, and Sanchez, ranked first by the IBF, gets the first defense.
First bell is 5 p.m. BST, with the main event walking around 10 p.m.
Itauma Vs. Hrgovic Full Card
| Bout | Division |
|---|---|
| Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | Heavyweight, vacant IBF title |
| Sam Noakes vs. Denys Berinchyk | Lightweight |
| Constantin Ursu vs. Ben Vaughan | British and Commonwealth welterweight titles |
| Aloys Youmbi vs. Mike Perez | Cruiserweight |
| Tony Curtis vs. Nathan Gonzales | Super flyweight |
| Abnor Jashari vs. Numan Hussain | Super featherweight |
| Frankie Wood vs. Callum Lee | Featherweight |
| Sam King vs. Jack Swallow | Middleweight |
| Zayn Ahmed vs. Liam Fitzmaurice | Super bantamweight |
| Hassan Ishaq vs. Enzo Bahiano Munoz | Super bantamweight |
What The Winner Actually Gets
- The vacant IBF heavyweight championship
- A mandatory defense against Frank Sanchez, already agreed
- Sanchez took a step-aside fee rather than face Itauma on June 30
- Both Itauma and Sanchez are Queensberry fighters
- Sanchez earned the position with a second-round knockout of Richard Torrez in May