Overview
- The fight between Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic at London’s O2 Arena on August 29 will be contested for the vacant IBF world heavyweight title, promoters confirmed.
- The IBF belt became vacant when Oleksandr Usyk gave up his belts in June, and the organisation had ordered Itauma and Frank Sanchez to negotiate for the mandatory slot with a July 29 deadline.
- Frank Sanchez agreed to take a step-aside payment so No.3-ranked Itauma and No.4-ranked Hrgovic could fight now, and Sanchez has been promised the right to face the winner for the title.
- Itauma, 21, enters the bout undefeated at 14-0 with 12 knockouts and is making his first world-title attempt; Hrgovic is a 2016 Olympic bronze medallist with a 20-1 record and recent stoppage wins that give the match competitive credibility.
- Promoter Frank Warren says a win for Itauma could set up a domestic unification against Daniel Dubois or Fabio Wardley at a major venue in 2027, and the step-aside deal reshuffles the IBF pathway by delaying Sanchez’s immediate claim while protecting his mandatory status.