Filip Hrgovic slapped Nigerian-born British fighter Moses Itauma at Friday’s weigh-in in London, adding further tension to their IBF heavyweight title showdown at the O2 Arena on Saturday night. According to a report by LondonNow, the incident occurred after the two heavyweight contenders came face-to-face at Spitalfields, where Itauma pushed……
Filip Hrgovic slapped Nigerian-born British fighter Moses Itauma at Friday’s weigh-in in London, adding further tension to their IBF heavyweight title showdown at the O2 Arena on Saturday night.
According to a report by LondonNow, the incident occurred after the two heavyweight contenders came face-to-face at Spitalfields, where Itauma pushed Hrgovic off the stage before the Croatian responded by slapping the British fighter.
Hrgovic, an experienced Croatian with a 20-1 record and 15 knockouts, has repeatedly taunted the unbeaten Itauma during the build-up to their clash.
The 33-year-old has described Itauma as “delusional” and a “kid”, although Itauma had largely remained composed despite the verbal exchanges.
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However, the 21-year-old lost his cool during Friday’s weigh-in and pushed Hrgovic, prompting the Croatian’s slap before security personnel quickly intervened to separate the two fighters.
The confrontation has added another layer of drama to Saturday’s highly anticipated contest, with both men bidding to make history by claiming the vacant IBF heavyweight title.
Itauma could become the youngest British boxer to win a world heavyweight title and the second-youngest world heavyweight champion in history after Mike Tyson.
Hrgovic, meanwhile, is seeking to become the first world heavyweight champion from Croatia.
The Croatian weighed 236.2 pounds for the bout, while Itauma came in heavier at 241.7 pounds.
Despite holding advantages in experience, number of fights and rounds, Hrgovic will enter the contest lighter than the younger British challenger.
Itauma remains unbeaten with a professional record of 14 wins from 14 fights, including 12 victories by knockout, while Hrgovic has 20 wins, one defeat and 15 knockouts.
