Moses Itauma vs Filip Hrgović for the vacant IBF Heavyweight title set for August 29 in London

My prediction: Itauma wins by early referee stoppage around round 3 or 4.

A corrupt referee will be in Hrgovic's face for nothing, distracting him, while letting Itauma do as he likes.

Bet the house on Itauma. Hrgovic would have a chance in a fair fight, but Fish Eyes will do whatever he has to to make sure Moses wins.

 

Looking at the fact that he looks like he's in the best shape of his life, it's unlikely.

 

This.

 

Didn't even mention Hrgovic's proneness to cuts as well.

But, I agree it will end in a TKO for Itauma - mid rounds. If Itauma can put Hrgovic's face flat on the floor then that would be a serious statement of his power.

 

Even a knockdown would be seriously impressive.

 

Itauma will likely win by stoppage but he is an accident waiting to happen. Massively overhyped, overconfident, vulnerable defensively and untested. Hrgovic likely isn't the man to properly test him either, too slow, upright, easy to hit and robotic. Literally made for Moses.

 

Who should be the candidate for Itauma's first real test?

 

I think a true danger man like Dubois, someone who comes to take your head off, not just stand back and hope to be durable.

 

anyone remember what the hype was like for Tyson vs Berbick? I watched it live but I was 8. I only knew what my father explained.

 

The goalpost will always shift.

 

Hrgovic, stand back? Huh? He comes out fast and punches himself out by round 5-6. He throws a ton before he gasses.

definitely does not have the heavy hands of Dubois though.

 

I’d like to know in what world a top ten heavyweight (more like a top 5-6) isn’t a proper test

 

Well, yeah that's kinda what I mean....he comes to fight but he's stiff and upright, patiently pot-shotting with mediocre one-twos. As opposed to someone like Dubois who comes in to take your head off with both hands, with real power and timing to match.

 

I get what you’re saying. However if he keeps doing what he’s doing at a high level then he isn’t over hyped / confident. Needs a chin and stamina check which I very much hope he’ll get this weekend.

BTW I’m English and am hoping Hergovic does the biz. I think Hergovic is hilarious and Itauma is intrinsically dull.

 

Yeah you're right but the overhyping has already taken place, which is what is putting me off Itauma already. I've seen so many of these hype trains come and go as I'm sure you have. Some are even calling him the new Ali, before he's even been in a proper fight, or won a title. He's a prospect for sure, but he has huge vulnerabilities which will be exposed at the top level, and I'm amazed so many respected pundits and fighters are hyping him like this already. His defense is terrible, his chin is untested, plus the confident momentum he has at the moment will only last so long. Good luck to him, but my point is, by God is he over hyped at this stage!