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I want to beat Hrgovic, belts change nothing – Itauma

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • British-Nigerian heavyweight boxer Moses Itauma is set to fight Filip Hrgovic for a vacant IBF world title.
  • Itauma, 21, stated that the addition of the world title does not change his motivation to defeat Hrgovic.
  • If Itauma wins, he will become the second-youngest heavyweight world champion in history, behind Mike Tyson.

British-Nigerian heavyweight contender Moses Itauma remains unfazed by the news that the vacant IBF world title will be on the line when he faces Filip Hrgovic on August 29. Itauma, 21, insists his primary motivation is to defeat the Croatian, regardless of the added prize.

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.

— Moses ItaumaResponding to whether the vacant IBF world title adds extra pressure to his fight against Filip Hrgovic.

"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," Itauma told DAZN Boxing. "I want to beat him as much as I did before the belt was on the line."

I want to beat him as much as I did before the belt was on the line.

— Moses ItaumaEmphasizing his unchanged motivation to defeat Filip Hrgovic.

Should Itauma emerge victorious at the O2 Arena, he would become the second-youngest heavyweight world champion in history, a distinction currently held by Mike Tyson, who was 20 when he claimed his title. Itauma, who has a professional record of 14 wins, 12 by knockout, all within the first six rounds, faces his toughest test against Hrgovic, who has only one loss on his record.

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.

— Moses ItaumaReacting to comparisons with Mike Tyson made by Teddy Atlas.

Itauma acknowledged the challenge posed by Hrgovic, noting the Croatian's victories over notable opponents. He also addressed comparisons to Mike Tyson, referencing comments made by Teddy Atlas. "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 remarked. "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."

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.

— Moses ItaumaAcknowledging Teddy Atlas's comments while focusing on his own career path.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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