Itauma vs. Hrgovic: Boxing experts predict heavyweight title fight

Britain anticipates a potential new heavyweight world champion as 21-year-old Moses Itauma faces Croatia's Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF title in London. Itauma, with a perfect record of 14 professional wins, 12 by knockout, has rapidly emerged as one of the division's most exciting prospects. A victory would make him the youngest heavyweight world champion since Mike Tyson in 1986.

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Hrgovic right now is possibly the best fighter for him to face. On paper it's a test but I don't think it will be a test. I don't think Moses will be under any form of pressure in a fight like this. I think it's going to be one of Moses' easiest nights of his career and he'll win a world title.

However, Hrgovic presents a significant challenge. The 34-year-old Croatian is a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist with a formidable record of 20 wins and one loss, including 15 knockouts. His experience and resilience are expected to test the young Briton.

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I do have Itauma as the favourite. He is no doubt a better fighter but still unproven over the long distance. And think people are maybe just forgetting just how tough Hrgovic is and how good he is at taking a shot. I can see Itauma blowing him away early because he's so accurate but I can also see Hrgovic riding the storm and it becoming a more difficult fight in the second half for Itauma. But I still see Moses coming out on top. Hrgovic cuts a lot and I can see this being stopped on cuts because Itauma will hit him so often.

Boxing personalities have shared their forecasts for the bout. Prince Naseem Hamed believes Hrgovic is the ideal opponent for Itauma, predicting an easy night for the Briton and a world title win. Carl Frampton also favors Itauma, noting his accuracy but acknowledging Hrgovic's toughness and ability to withstand punishment. Frampton anticipates Itauma winning, possibly by stoppage due to Hrgovic's tendency to cut.

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It's a really good fight. It's a test that Itauma has been needing for a while. Stylistically, it's very interesting. I think this fight will be really hard or really easy. I don't see a middle ground where Itauma will cruise and will look great doing it. I think he either gets rid of him inside three rounds or this is the acid test we've all been waiting for. Hrgovic is brave and tough but he stands up tall and is quite easy to hit. Itauma has got the whole package. He's in and out of range, he's sharp. He's got the footwork and speed of a cruiserweight and the power of a heavyweight. So I'll go with Itauma inside three rounds.

Tony Bellew describes the fight as potentially "really hard or really easy" for Itauma, suggesting he will either win decisively within three rounds or face a significant test. Bellew praises Itauma's "whole package," including his speed and power, while noting Hrgovic's upright stance makes him hittable. Anthony Crolla expressed confidence in Itauma, stating he would back him against any heavyweight except Oleksandr Usyk.

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I've said for a while that I'd back Moses againt any heavyweight on the planet, other than Oleksandr Usyk. Going by Usyk's last performance against Rico Verhoeven, I'd probably back Moses aga