British-Nigerian heavyweight prospect, Moses Itauma, has said the prospect of fighting for the vacant IBF heavyweight title has not changed his determination to defeat Filip Hrgovic.
Itauma is scheduled to face the Croatian at the O2 Arena on August 29, with the winner set to claim the vacant IBF belt.
A victory would see the 21-year-old become the second-youngest heavyweight world champion in boxing history, behind Mike Tyson, who captured a world title at the age of 20.
However, Itauma insists the championship belt is not what has altered his approach to the fight, saying his focus remains on beating Hrgovic.
Speaking to DAZN Boxing, he was asked if having a world title at stake had increased the pressure ahead of the contest.
“Not really, the belts just come with the performance. With boxing Hrgovic, I was taking him serious, and now the belt is on the line, I still take him serious.
“I want to beat him as much as I did before the belt was on the line,” he said. “Of course, it will be an honour. I’d love to be a world champion, but it’s about Filip Hrgovic himself.”
Itauma, who has previously indicated that he places greater importance on fighting notable opponents than collecting championship belts, was asked which mattered more to him.
“Probably the names,” he said.
The clash represents one of the biggest tests of Itauma’s professional career.
Hrgovic has suffered just one defeat, losing to Daniel Dubois, while his record includes victories over Dave Allen, David Adeleye and Zhilei Zhang.
Itauma, meanwhile, has maintained a perfect record since turning professional. He has won all 14 of his bouts, with 12 victories coming by knockout and every stoppage occurring within the first six rounds.
Among his notable wins are first-round stoppages of former world title challenger Dillian Whyte and American heavyweight Jermina Franklin.
In another interview with British media, Itauma admitted that he is still adjusting to the attention surrounding his rapid rise but said he expects a demanding encounter with Hrgovic.
“I didn’t really have no reaction. I was like, ‘if I’m fighting Hrgovic and I’ve got the opportunity for it to be for a world title? Yeah, chuck a world title on the line,’ I didn’t really have a feeling,” he said.
The Chatham-born fighter earned his world title opportunity in just his 15th professional bout and has already attracted comparisons with former heavyweight champion Tyson.
American trainer Teddy Atlas recently suggested that Itauma is ahead of where Tyson was at a similar stage of his career, a comparison Itauma addressed.
“Teddy Atlas said that, yeah? To be honest, I am pretty sure Teddy Atlas put a gun to Mike Tyson’s head before, no? I just think he doesn’t like Mike Tyson and is finding a way to dim his light,” Itauma said.
“Look, I don’t know, Teddy Atlas saying that, I do appreciate it. Tyson has had his career, and I am still making my career.”
Itauma revealed that becoming heavyweight world champion has been an ambition since he was 16 or 17, but he recognises the challenge Hrgovic presents.
The Croatian has lost only once and that defeat came after he suffered a cut, adding further significance to Itauma’s assessment of the task ahead.
“Of course he’s a very good fighter. He’s only had one defeat, and he only lost because of the cut. Yeah, he’s solid. I’m in for a long night, but I’ll be all right,” he said.
Should Itauma defeat Hrgovic and claim the IBF title, his next assignment is already expected to be against mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez.
